ISLAMABAD:Legislators in the Senate on Friday called for a comprehensive policy on the use of social media by young people, with some senators advocating a ban on children under 18.
The senators expressed extreme concern over the excessive and unsupervised use of social media apps by children. Chairman of the Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, is likely to constitute a special committee of the House to examine how to protect children from excessive and un monitored use of social media.
The matter arose during a brief debate on a calling attention notice moved by Senators Falak Naz, Fawzia Arshad, Aimal Wali Khan, Saadia Abbasi and Dilawer Khan. Speaking on the notice, Falak Naz called for an effective mechanism to ban children’s use of social media in order to save them from online harassment and exploitation. Fawzia Arshad urged parenting counselling in educational institutions to help protect children, who are vulnerable and fragile with regard to social media use. She regretted that education now hardly contains content on moral upbringing and character building, which was more prevalent in the past.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Tariq Fazal, agreed that the issue was extremely serious and a national concern, requiring collective input and effort for the desired results. “There are several ministries involved and they should sit together to find a solution,” he proposed, adding that the FIA and its subordinate bodies could also be helpful. The minister said there was no objection to forming a special committee or referring the matter to the IT Ministry, with other relevant committees assisting as needed. The presiding officer, Sherry Rehman, noted that, given the utmost importance and sensitivity of the issue, the decision could be left to the discretion of the Chairman to form a special committee and, as the minister suggested, it could be referred to the IT Ministry accordingly. “There is also a need to have representatives from the provincial governments, as any policy or mechanism formulated must be implemented by the provinces,” she maintained. She emphasised that in Australia children under 16 are banned from using social media and agreed with Senator Afnan Ullah Khan’s request that his already submitted bill – which covers data protection and determines the age at which a child may open a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account, and provides for the protection of children from social media – be incorporated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf lawmakers again demanded a meeting with the party founder, Imran Khan, alleging that he is being kept in solitary confinement. Speaking on the occasion, the party’s parliamentary leader, Senator Barrister Ali Zafar, said he was the founder’s lawyer but questioned why he was not being allowed to meet him. He emphasised that the court had issued orders for meetings, yet none were being permitted. “This is a decision of the prison authority, which is under the government; this is political revenge,” he maintained. Senator Falak Naz added that the founder of PTI has been kept in solitary confinement and that, for two months, no one has been granted access to the jailed party leader.
Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the jail superintendent has the authority to schedule meetings based on behaviour. He also pointed out that Adiala Jail is under the Punjab government and that the federation does not have the authority to instruct them. The minister claimed that the founder of PTI is not in solitary confinement; he is undergoing exercise, receives food of his choice, has all facilities, and his health is good.
Earlier, PML N’s Abid Sher Ali took the oath as a member of the Senate. The House will now reconvene at 4 pm on Monday.
