Onus on state to protect kids from online harm, IHC told

• NCRC recommends boosting NCCIA capacity, setting up special units for exploitation probes • Proposes Peca review from child rights perspective
• Urges integrating age verification into Digital Nation Pakistan Act

ISLAMABAD: Protecting minors from online grooming, exploitation and harmful content is the state’s responsibility, the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) told the Islamabad High Court while proposing sweeping legal and institutional reforms to safeguard children on social media.

In a 17-page response submitted to the court in a case concerning social media usage by children under the age of 16, the commission acknowledged the concerns raised in the petition.

It underscored the need for age verification mechanisms and a comprehensive regulatory framework, stating that effective legal and regulatory measures are indispensable for online child safety.

The NCRC recommended integrating child online safety into the regulatory framework of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, with a focus on age verification and effective protection systems.

To combat technology-facilitated child exploitation, the commission recommended boosting the capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and establishing specialised systems to investigate online child sexual exploitation.

The commission also recommended a review and amendment of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in the context of child rights, noting the need to improve the existing legal framework for online child safety.

Digital platforms must be made more accountable for child safety, the commission said. It urged effective action against child sexual abuse material and online grooming, while implementing measures for the immediate removal of such content.

“There is also a need to limit unnecessary online contact between children and unknown adults,” the commission said, adding that legislation, platform accountability and effective enforcement are essential for children’s online safety.

The NCRC noted the importance of striking an effective balance between children’s digital rights and their protection online.

The commission asserted that the issue of children’s online safety demands effective legal and institutional measures rather than mere policy. Advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid are representing the petitioner in the case.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026