NCRC seeks age-verification to protect kids online

The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) has recommended an effective age-verification mechanism and a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect children from online grooming, sexual exploitation and harmful content. The NCRC made the recommendations in a 17-page written response submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a case concerning the use of social media by children under the age of 16. The NCRC endorsed the concerns raised in the petition and emphasised the need for effective legal and regulatory measures to ensure children's online safety. The commission recommended measures to limit unnecessary online interaction between children and unknown adults, stating that children need greater protection from potential online risks. It also called for strengthening specialised capabilities to investigate online sexual exploitation of children and recommended enhancing the capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to handle cases involving technology-facilitated exploitation of children. The NCRC further proposed developing a specialised mechanism using technology to combat the online exploitation of children. In its written response, the commission stated that effective legal and regulatory measures are indispensable for protecting children online and that existing legal and institutional arrangements need improvement. It maintained that online child protection is not merely a matter of policy but requires effective legal and institutional action. The NCRC also recommended reviewing the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 from the perspective of children's rights and proposed amendments where necessary to strengthen safeguards for children using digital platforms. The commission stressed that the existing legal framework requires further improvement to address emerging online threats to children and provide them with adequate protection. The recommendations came as the high court considers concerns surrounding the use of social media by children below 16 and the measures required to ensure their safety in the digital environment. The NCRC said a comprehensive approach is required to protect children from online grooming, sexual exploitation and harmful material while ensuring that relevant institutions have the legal powers, resources and technical capacity to respond effectively. The petition is being pursued by Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid. Online grooming is when an adult or malicious actor builds an emotional connection and trust with a child or vulnerable person online to sexually abuse, exploit, blackmail, or radicalise them.