TikTok, PTA host Youth Safety Summit Pakistan to promote online safety and digital literacy
Islamabad: TikTok and PTA Collaborate for Youth Safety Summit to Promote Digital Literacy and Protection, TikTok, in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), hosted the Youth Safety Summit Pakistan in Islamabad. The main goal of the summit was to increase awareness about online safety, encourage digital literacy, and promote cooperation among various stakeholders to ensure the protection of Pakistani youth in the digital space.
The summit provided a vital platform for bringing together experts and stakeholders working on youth and minor safety, including government officials, law enforcement agencies, educators, parents, children, child protection NGOs, and industry professionals.Laapata: A Riveting Drama Now Streaming on ZeeZindagi
The event featured multiple informative sessions, one of which focused on the ‘Digital Hifazat’ initiative, a joint effort between TikTok and PTA to enhance online safety and digital literacy among young people in Pakistan. PTA also shared details about its ongoing efforts to safeguard children online, emphasizing its strategies for creating a safer digital environment for young internet users.
Another session discussed TikTok’s dedication to child safety, highlighting the platform’s various safety features designed to protect young users. These include the Family Pairing feature, the Community Guidelines, and the Youth Safety Portal—tools aimed at empowering parents, educators, and young users to foster a safer online community.
A panel discussion on ‘Enhancing Child Online Safety’ was held, reflecting TikTok’s commitment to maintaining a secure environment for young users. The panel included representatives from PTA, CERT, UNICEF Pakistan, and SAHIL, who provided expert insights into child protection. The discussion was followed by a Q&A session and speeches from distinguished guests.
Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, emphasized the authority’s unwavering dedication to building a safer online ecosystem. He stated, “This summit is a pivotal step in our mission to create a secure and inclusive digital space for Pakistan’s youth. PTA remains committed to implementing innovative initiatives that protect children online and promote a digitally responsible society.”
Emir Gelen, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at TikTok for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, and South Asia, expressed TikTok’s commitment to safeguarding users, especially children and youth. He remarked, “At TikTok, we are dedicated to the safety and well-being of our users. This summit marks a significant milestone toward creating a safer online environment in Pakistan. We are committed to promoting digital literacy and safety through our initiatives, and we look forward to further collaboration with the PTA to achieve this goal.”
The summit concluded with the announcement of the winners of the #DigitalHifazat Contest, a competition organized by TikTok and PTA to raise awareness of digital safety among Pakistani youth. The contest invited creators to submit short videos on six key topics: responsible social media use, combating online harassment, preventing online fraud, ensuring youth safety and well-being, understanding TikTok’s safety features, and addressing misinformation.
The competition received 11,000 entries, with three winners recognized for their exceptional creativity in promoting digital safety. Bilal Shahzad won the competition, while Ch Danish and Muhammad Usama Kiyani were named the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Building on the success of the Youth Safety Summit, TikTok and PTA also announced the expansion of their Public Policy Program, focusing on Digital Hifazat. This strategic expansion will further strengthen TikTok’s partnership with PTA to enhance digital literacy and safety across Pakistan.
