PTA and Meta launches new feature for youth online safety

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with Meta, inaugurated Instagram’s new safety feature “Teen Accounts,” designed to enhance online protection for young users in Pakistan.

The feature automatically places users under 16 into Teen Accounts, restricting unwanted contact and filtering sensitive content, while allowing safe digital exploration.

The launch event was attended by representatives from Meta, UNICEF, the National Child Rights Coalition (NCRC), and key stakeholders in child protection. The program included awareness sessions and live demonstrations focused on online safety tools, complaint mechanisms, and best practices for promoting digital wellbeing among youth.

During the ceremony, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, HI (M) SI, reaffirmed the PTA’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment. He emphasized that the launch of Teen Accounts represents a significant step toward protecting the youth of Pakistan while they are online.

Dr. Priyanka Bhalla, Head of Safety Policy for South Asia at Meta, commended the ongoing collaboration with the PTA, highlighting that Meta’s global safety initiatives are empowering millions of teenagers worldwide, including those in Pakistan, to have a secure online experience.

This initiative showcases the PTA’s proactive engagement with digital platforms to promote child safety, enhance digital literacy, and encourage responsible online behaviour across Pakistan.