In today’s hyper-connected world, a child logs onto the internet for the first time every half a second. With smartphones and tablets becoming household staples — even babysitters — kids in Pakistan are plunging headfirst into the online world, often before they can even tie their shoelaces.
This digital leap offers immense opportunities for learning, creativity, and global connection. But it also opens a shadowy portal to cyberbullying, online predators, violent content, and emotional harm.
As internet access grows across Pakistan — now with over 76 million users — we must ask: Are we giving our children digital wings without teaching them how to fly safely?
A playground without a fence
Children in Pakistan are increasingly using the internet for schoolwork, gaming, social networking, and entertainment. While this digital exposure boosts tech skills and provides educational resources, it also creates a new and complex risk landscape.
Take the alarming case of a 13-year-old Karachi girl who vanished after being lured by someone she met while playing an online game. It’s not an isolated incident — it’s a warning sign that we’re letting our kids roam unsupervised in a digital jungle filled with wolves in disguise.
In many Pakistani households, handing over a smartphone is the go-to solution to keep kids quiet. But here’s the twist — 22% of parents in regions like the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa have never discussed online safety with their kids. That’s not just negligence — it’s digital endangerment
According to a global Kaspersky survey, 54% of children have been exposed to violent content online. Around 18% of parents admitted their children were approached by unknown adults on the internet, and 25% lost money due to their kids’ online activities — from accidental game purchases to falling prey to scams. And perhaps the most chilling detail? One in five children in Pakistan reportedly chats with strangers online every day.
Parents in the dark, children in danger
In many Pakistani households, handing over a smartphone is the go-to solution to keep kids quiet. A recent Kaspersky study reveals that 89% of parents use gadgets to keep their children occupied. Meanwhile, 78% of children admit they can't live without their devices. But here’s the twist — 22% of parents in regions like the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa have never discussed online safety with their kids.
That’s not just negligence — it’s digital endangerment.
Pakistani parents often allow unrestricted screen time with minimal or no monitoring. In a society where open dialogue between parents and children is already fragile, kids rarely report uncomfortable or threatening online encounters. This communication gap allows online threats to fester unnoticed.
More screen time, less safe time
Outdoor activities and real-world play are declining, replaced by endless hours of screen time. The result? A generation glued to their devices, vulnerable to everything from racist propaganda and violent games to drug-related content and online grooming.
And while most parents want to protect their children online, only a minority take active steps. Kaspersky data shows 79% strive for control, but just 15% activate it when necessary — and a shocking 6% don’t get involved at all.
Solutions we can’t afford to delay
So, what’s the way forward? It starts with a shared responsibility — between parents, educators, internet service providers (ISPs), tech companies, and the government.
If Pakistan is to thrive in a digital economy, we must prioritize safe, inclusive, and child-friendly online access. From closing the digital literacy gap to holding tech platforms accountable, safeguarding our children online isn’t just a parental duty — it’s a national imperative
Here are some essential steps Pakistan must take:
- Teach digital literacy early: Schools should integrate digital safety into the curriculum, equipping children with tools to identify and avoid online dangers.
- Empower parents and teachers: Awareness campaigns — especially in Urdu and regional languages — should guide parents on how to supervise digital behaviour and promote healthy tech habits.
- Enforce and update online protection laws: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 must be fully implemented and regularly updated to tackle emerging online threats, especially those targeting children.
- Use parental control tools: Applications like Kaspersky Safe Kids offer features such as screen time management, geolocation tracking, and real-time content filtering — helping parents stay a step ahead.
- Encourage open communication: Create a culture where kids feel safe talking about their online experiences — good or bad — without fear of punishment or dismissal.
A digital childhood deserves digital protection
In UNICEF’s 2017 State of the World’s Children report, experts emphasised that 1 in 3 internet users worldwide is a child. Yet the systems to protect them are sorely lagging behind. If Pakistan is to thrive in a digital economy, we must prioritise safe, inclusive, and child-friendly online access.
From closing the digital literacy gap to holding tech platforms accountable, safeguarding our children online isn’t just a parental duty — it’s a national imperative.
In the race to digitise, Pakistan cannot afford to leave its children behind — or worse, leave them exposed. A screen may light up a child’s world, but without guidance and safeguards, it can also burn them. Let’s ensure that our children are not just connected — but protected.
