Situation Analysis on Child Online Protection in Pakistan
The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) launched the Situational Analysis of Child Online Protection in Pakistan during a high-level event held at Telenor Headquarters on 20 Feb 2024. This comprehensive report explores the rapidly evolving digital landscape, with a particular focus on how children in Pakistan face increasing risks online and what legal, institutional, and policy responses are needed to safeguard them.
Authored by Qindeel Shujaat, Executive Director of Obun2, the report marks a first-of-its-kind effort to systematically examine the scope of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) in Pakistan. The document investigates the rising threats posed by cyberbullying, online grooming, and the misuse of digital platforms, providing an in-depth analysis of the challenges confronting children in the digital environment.
At the launch event, Qindeel Shujaat shared key insights from the report, drawing attention to the urgent need for a coordinated and proactive approach to online child protection. He highlighted the gaps in legislation and enforcement, the lack of child-sensitive digital literacy, and the need for systems that support safe online engagement for children. His remarks underscored the importance of recognising digital risks not just as a technical challenge, but as a pressing child rights issue.
The report also reviews Pakistan’s legal and institutional frameworks related to child online protection, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, and other related provisions under the Pakistan Penal Code and Cybercrime Rules. It evaluates the effectiveness of current mechanisms and identifies major areas in need of reform to enhance the country’s ability to prevent and respond to online abuse.
One of the key strengths of the report lies in its clear articulation of challenges and issues:
- Lack of comprehensive legislation covering all forms of OCSEA;
- Weak enforcement capacities of investigative and judicial systems;
- Absence of awareness and digital safety education in schools;
- Limited availability of child helplines and confidential reporting mechanisms.
The report offers targeted, actionable recommendations for various stakeholders, including policymakers, law enforcement agencies, educators, digital platforms, parents, and civil society. These include:
- Integrating child online protection in the national child protection framework;
- Building capacity of police, judiciary, and FIA cybercrime wings;
- Promoting digital citizenship education at school and community levels;
- Enhancing inter-agency coordination and data-sharing on OCSEA cases.
The launch brought together child rights advocates, government representatives, digital safety experts, and civil society organisations, all united by a shared concern for protecting Pakistan’s children in the digital age. The report stands as a vital step toward placing child online safety at the heart of the national protection agenda.
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