The Digital Tahafuzz Summit was held in Islamabad to address online safety and the digital well-being of young people across Pakistan. Organised by Meta in partnership with government institutions, regulators, educators and civil society organisations, the event focused on protecting children online while allowing them to benefit from digital platforms. Discussions covered privacy, age-appropriate content, parental guidance, digital literacy and stronger safeguards against online abuse.
Government and Civil Society Join Online Safety Efforts
The summit brought together representatives from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the Ministry of Human Rights, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) and Zindagi Trust.
Participants discussed how Pakistan can develop a safer digital environment without unnecessarily restricting young people’s access to education, communication and online opportunities.
A key message throughout the event was that child protection requires cooperation between technology companies, government authorities, schools, parents and communities. Rather than relying exclusively on restrictions or bans, speakers highlighted the importance of building safety into digital platforms and helping young users understand online risks.
The discussions also explored the possibility of a privacy-preserving age-assurance framework for Pakistan. Such an approach would aim to support age-appropriate protections while respecting users’ privacy.
A Shared Responsibility for Protecting Children
During the Digital Tahafuzz Summit, NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza emphasised that protecting children online requires action from the entire digital ecosystem.
She cautioned that bans alone could push children towards less regulated online spaces without preparing them to handle digital risks. Instead, she called for stronger platform accountability, privacy-focused default settings, limits on potentially addictive features and faster removal of abusive content.
Raza also highlighted the need for child-friendly reporting systems, effective complaint handling and greater digital awareness among children. Parents and teachers, she said, should receive the knowledge and resources needed to guide young people confidently.
SMPRA Member Salman Zafar similarly stressed that online safety should not become the responsibility of children alone. He highlighted the importance of safer platforms, privacy protection, responsive reporting mechanisms and cooperation between regulators, technology companies and families.
These discussions reflect a growing recognition that digital safety involves both technical safeguards and the ability to make informed decisions online.
Meta Launches Digital Dialogues in Real Life
One of the major announcements at the event was the launch of Digital Dialogues in Real Life, a free, browser-based experience developed by Meta to help teenagers, parents, teachers and community groups discuss everyday online situations.
The experience uses five illustrated cards covering Social Spaces, Feed Control, Beyond Likes, Kindness Online and Know Your Limits. Each card presents a familiar online scenario, encourages participants to consider how they would respond and points them towards relevant safety tools and settings.
Separate experiences are available for teenagers aged 13 to 17 and adults, allowing families and educators to approach online safety in ways suited to different age groups.
The initiative is designed to encourage open conversations about online behaviour, digital boundaries, kindness and responsible social media use.
Meta’s Director of Public Policy for South and Central Asia, Yuen Ting Chay, said that keeping teenagers safe requires shared responsibility. She explained that platform protections are important, but conversations between young people and trusted adults also play a significant role.
How Teen Accounts Support Online Safety
Meta also highlighted its Teen Accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. These accounts are designed to provide teenagers with protections enabled by default, including restrictions on who can contact them and the content they encounter.
The company said its safety approach aims to reduce the need for parents to configure every protection manually. Meta also described content settings guided by age-appropriate film ratings and parental feedback.
According to the information shared at the summit, users under 16 need parental permission to make certain content settings less restrictive.
Such tools can help families manage online experiences, although their effectiveness also depends on awareness, communication and how young people use digital platforms.
Pakistan’s Digital Future and Child Protection
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that building a digital future requires ensuring children’s safety alongside technological progress. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry, educators and families.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar also emphasised that fundamental rights, including privacy, dignity and safety, must be protected in digital spaces as well as physical environments.
PTA Chairman Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman said that digital awareness and parental guidance are important components of efforts to create a safer online environment for children.
Zindagi Trust President Shahzad Roy also discussed the importance of equipping children with the skills to navigate digital spaces safely. The organisation’s partnership with Meta and Durbeen aims to help parents and guardians supervise teenagers’ social media experiences and make informed decisions.
What Comes Next for Digital Safety?
The Digital Tahafuzz Summit marks a continued effort to bring Pakistan’s technology sector, policymakers and civil society together around youth online protection.
However, turning these discussions into meaningful progress will require practical implementation, accessible digital education, effective reporting channels and clear accountability for platforms.
As more young people use social media for learning, entertainment and communication, a balanced approach will be essential. Combining privacy-conscious technology, age-appropriate safeguards and informed parental guidance can help children participate in the digital world with greater confidence.
The long-term objective is to make online spaces safer without preventing young people from accessing the opportunities technology provides.
