ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a reply from the federal government till March 3 on what measures it has taken for protecting children below 18 years of age against harm due to use of social media.
The court has sought a progress report on the establishment of Social Media Regulatory Authority (SMRA).
The IHC, while issuing a written order on the petition filed by a minor child Shunwari through his father, said that as per the petitioner, laws have been enacted for minor children regarding the use of social media all over the world.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a 2-page order. The Ministry of Information Technology, PTA and PEMRA have been ordered to file parawise reply.
It has been said in the order that implementation report on social media regulations, monitoring and recent amendments by PECA be given.
The court be told what regulatory framework has been made for use of social media by minor children and steps taken on mechanism for reviewing the age of children in perspective of use of social media.
The court be informed about constitutional mandate with reference to protection of children as use of social media without regulations for children is dangerous.
There are problems of mental diseases due to use of social media by children without regulation. There is the problem of privacy too due to use of social media by children without regulation.
