UK and Pakistan Propose Social Media Restrictions for Minors

Governments in the United Kingdom and Pakistan are pursuing legislative measures to limit social media use among minors, citing mental health concerns and digital safety. In the UK, the Government of the United Kingdom announced a default six-hour social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. This measure accompanies a proposed total ban for children under 16 and a plan to disable addictive features like infinite scrolling and auto-play by default.

While the UK curfew allows for a manual override, critics argue this opt-out provision undermines the policy. British officials expect lawmakers to refine these rules later this year for a potential spring implementation. The UK government noted that these restrictions are intended to prioritize sleep and educational focus for young people.

Simultaneously, Sarah Ahmed, Chairperson of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Punjab, submitted a resolution to the Punjab Assembly in Pakistan to restrict social media access for children under 16. Ahmed's proposal calls for a rigorous age verification system to prevent underage account creation, aiming to protect minors from cyberbullying and digital exploitation. The resolution urges the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to establish a formal regulatory and monitoring framework to enforce the ban.