ISLAMABAD: The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) has recommended the introduction of an effective age-verification mechanism and a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect children under the age of 16 from online risks.
The recommendations were submitted in a 17-page written response in a case concerning the use of social media by children under 16 before the Islamabad High Court.
The commission mentioned growing concerns over online grooming, sexual exploitation and children’s exposure to harmful content.
The commission has stressed that children’s online safety requires effective legal and administrative measures rather than relying solely on existing policies. It recommended stronger safeguards to prevent children from being exposed to potentially harmful interactions and content on social media platforms.
The NCRC also recommended restricting unnecessary online contact between children and unknown adults. Such measures, it said, could help reduce risks associated with online grooming and exploitation.
The commission emphasized the need for a regulatory system capable of determining whether users meet the minimum age requirements for accessing certain online services.
The proposed framework is aimed at creating stronger institutional and legal safeguards for children while addressing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving digital platforms.
The NCRC has also called for increased investigative capabilities to deal with online sexual exploitation of children.
It recommended strengthening the capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and developing specialized mechanisms to combat technology-facilitated exploitation.
The law-enforcement institutions require greater technical expertise and resources to effectively investigate crimes involving children in the digital environment.
Review of PECA Act Recommended
The commission further recommended a review of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) from the perspective of children’s rights, along with possible amendments to strengthen protections for minors online.
The NCRC maintained that the existing legal framework requires improvement to address emerging digital threats and provide more effective safeguards for children.
The commission’s response emphasized that protecting children online is not merely a policy issue. It requires coordinated legal, regulatory and institutional measures capable of responding to the rapidly changing digital environment.
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The case is being pursued by advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Fareed. The recommendations submitted before the Islamabad High Court could add further momentum to the debate over age restrictions, online safety and regulation of social media use among children in Pakistan.
