Pakistan Senate Withdraws Australia-Style Social Media Ban Bill

Teens in the country left on hold ahead of restrictions on the use of Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and other popular social media apps. Reports say Senate of Pakistan has withdrawn “Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025” for further review.

Australia-styled piece of legislation, proposed over a month before, seeks to ban the use of social media by children below 16 years. However, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has sent the bill to the standing committee for review.

The PPP’s senators Sarmad Ali and Syed Masoor Ahsan spearheaded the bill. It came under their consideration months after the adaptation of Australia’s “Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024.

Many developed nations including New Zealand are considering the legislation. But Australian law is currently unique in its scope and has become a worldwide topic for debate. The legislation passed in November 24 will take effect on December 10, 2025 in the Land Down Under.

Hundreds of thousands of children across Pakistan use social media apps, particularly TikTok. It has become a source of potential income for many including some famed stars.

Pakistan has already adopted drastic social media and media laws mainly aimed at curbing the freedom of expression. But social media ban for teens is widely considered a positive move.

If adopted, it is unclear how the legislation will take effect.

Many believe authorities will ask social media networks to enforce the policy. They will face fine from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million in case of failure to implement it.

The bill proposed six months jail for individuals violating social media use rules. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will delete teens’ existing social accounts.

Reports say some key stakeholders have raised serious objections to the bill, pushing the upper house to withdraw it. Some suggest the bill might lower the age limit from 16 years to below 13.