YouTube parental controls

Google has launched Digital Pasban in Pakistan, a new initiative aimed at helping 200,000 households improve online safety and develop stronger digital literacy skills. Google.org, the technology company’s philanthropic arm, has committed $500,000 to expand digital citizenship and artificial intelligence safety programmes across Pakistan. The initiative was unveiled at the “Safe Raho with Google” event on Thursday and will provide families with Urdu-language digital safety toolkits, instructional videos and practical training. The programme will reach families through schools, broadcast media, SMS alerts and campaigns conducted with partner organisations. Digital Pasban is being implemented in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), with support from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination. The initiative is designed to help parents, children and guardians navigate the growing digital environment while understanding common online risks. Digital Pasban Focuses On Four Areas Of Online Safety The programme focuses on four key areas of digital safety and literacy, including parental controls, online safety education for children, responsible AI use and practical training for parents and guardians. Google’s Family Link will allow parents to manage their children’s screen time, approve applications, apply content filters and locate devices. Parents will also be able to use YouTube’s parental controls to manage age-appropriate content and establish healthier viewing habits. These controls include “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders. Parents can also set limits on their children’s use of YouTube Shorts, including reducing Shorts usage to zero. The tools are intended to give parents greater control over their children’s digital activities while encouraging safer and more balanced internet use. Google Introduces Online Safety Programme For Children Digital Pasban will also use Google’s Be Internet Awesome programme for children between the ages of seven and 12. The programme uses interactive learning, including the Interland game, to teach children basic online safety principles. Children will learn about issues such as identifying scams, creating stronger passwords, behaving responsibly online and reporting inappropriate or concerning activity. The initiative aims to make digital safety education easier for younger users to understand by combining practical lessons with interactive activities. Google believes that teaching children responsible online behaviour at an early age can help them develop safer digital habits as internet access expands across Pakistan. Families To Learn About Safe And Responsible AI Use Artificial intelligence is another major component of Digital Pasban. The programme will introduce families to Google’s Gemini AI as a tool for responsible artificial intelligence use. Google said safeguards designed for minors restrict harmful role-play and inappropriate content. Gemini’s Guided Learning feature is also intended to help students understand difficult subjects through step-by-step explanations, questions and visual aids. The focus on AI safety comes as generative AI tools become increasingly accessible to students and families. Digital Pasban aims to help parents understand how AI tools can be used constructively while also encouraging them to remain aware of potential risks associated with online and AI-powered services. Parent Safety Clinics To Provide Practical Training The initiative will also organise safety clinics for parents and guardians. These sessions will provide hands-on guidance on digital safety and allow families to practise responding to common online risks. PTA Chairman Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman said the programme would contribute towards creating a safer digital environment for children and families. He highlighted the importance of practical tools, localised resources and engagement through schools. Google’s Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Frontier Markets, Farhan Qureshi, said the initiative was designed to help families benefit from the country’s expanding digital ecosystem while keeping children safer online. The company said Digital Pasban builds on its previous digital education and safety initiatives in Pakistan. Google Expands Digital Literacy Efforts In Pakistan Google said its Digital Safar programme has already trained more than 300,000 students and 5,000 educators in digital citizenship. The company has also partnered with Punjab’s Ministry of Education to introduce Google for Education and AI-powered learning and safety resources to 1.5 million students. The latest initiative expands those efforts by bringing digital safety resources directly to families and parents. With the internet, social media platforms and AI tools becoming increasingly important in education and everyday life, the Digital Pasban programme seeks to improve awareness of online risks while helping Pakistani families use digital technology more responsibly. The $500,000 Google.org commitment is expected to support the expansion of digital citizenship and AI-safety programmes, while the involvement of government institutions and schools could help the initiative reach a wider audience. The programme’s focus on Urdu-language resources, school engagement and practical parent training is intended to make online safety guidance more accessible to families across Pakistan.