Senators call for special committee as concerns rise over children’s excessive social media access
Islamabad: The Senate of Pakistan raised concerns over children’s unsupervised use of social media apps, highlighting the risks of excessive screen time and exposure to inappropriate content. The issue was brought to the floor through a “Call Attention Notice” by Senator Falak Naz during a session presided over by Senator Sherry Rehman.
The notice emphasized the growing trend of young children using social media platforms without parental guidance, potentially exposing them to harmful content, online predators, and addiction to digital devices. Senator Falak Naz urged that the matter be addressed at a national level to safeguard children’s mental health and online safety.
Responding to the notice, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the issue as “highly significant” and agreed that a comprehensive discussion should take place across multiple ministries, rather than being confined to the IT committee. Presiding Officer Senator Sherry Rehman further suggested the formation of a special Senate committee, incorporating input from the Ministry of Law and other relevant departments, to develop structured policies for child online safety.
The Senate session also observed a moment of silence for the victims of a recent gas leak explosion in Islamabad’s G-7/2 sector. Additionally, newly elected Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Senator Abid Sher Ali took his oath, marking his official induction into the upper house.
Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, introduced the Railways Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed by a majority vote in the Senate. The session was adjourned until 4:00 PM on Monday.
Experts have increasingly voiced concerns about the unmonitored use of social media by minors in Pakistan, linking it to declining academic performance, mental health challenges, and potential exposure to cyberbullying. The Senate’s move to establish a special committee reflects growing legislative attention on the need for robust digital safety measures and parental awareness campaigns.
The formation of this committee aims to bring together policymakers, legal experts, educators, and child psychologists to propose regulations, guidelines, and awareness programs that can mitigate the risks of early-age social media usage in Pakistan.
