The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in collaboration with META has launched Teen Accounts, a platform-level step aimed at improving online safety and digital wellbeing for young internet users across Pakistan. The new Teen Accounts initiative is intended to provide age-appropriate settings and tools so teenagers can access social platforms with better protections and guidance.
At the launch event, Member Punjab NCRC Dr. Mehek Naeem delivered the keynote address and underscored the urgency of protecting children online as Pakistan becomes the eighth largest internet user nation. She highlighted that millions of children access online spaces daily and voiced deep concern over the 1.92 million cases of Child Sexual Abuse Material reported from Pakistan in 2023, saying such figures demand immediate, collaborative, and sustainable responses.
Dr. Mehek praised the partnership between META and the PTA and said Teen Accounts will help empower young users to navigate the internet responsibly while offering a safer, more age-appropriate online experience. The initiative is framed as part of broader efforts to promote digital literacy and equip families and schools with better tools to support youth online.
Officials described the launch as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s work on digital safety, stressing that technology should be a means of empowerment rather than exploitation. Stakeholders called for continued cooperation among government bodies, digital platforms, and child protection organisations to ensure Teen Accounts deliver lasting benefits for children and communities.
As Teen Accounts roll out, authorities and partners will monitor implementation and promote awareness so the new measures contribute meaningfully to reducing risks online and strengthening the digital wellbeing of Pakistani youth.
