Managing online risks: Google launches ‘Digital Pasban’

Google has introduced Digital Pasban in Pakistan, according to Business Recorder, backed by USD 500,000 from Google.org that will target 200,000 households with Urdu-language safety resources. The programme was unveiled on Thursday at the Safe Raho with Google event and is aimed at helping parents and children handle online risks as more families use the internet for study, entertainment and everyday tasks.

The framework rests on four pillars. Family Link, a free parental control app, gives guardians control over screen time, app approvals, filters and device location. YouTube adds age-based settings and a new control that lets parents limit Shorts viewing, even to zero, so children can focus on schoolwork. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids aged 7 to 12 five habits through the Interland game, while Gemini includes guardrails for minors and a tutoring mode that prompts students with questions instead of giving answers.

Partners include the PTA, Tech Valley, Beaconhouse School System, Jazz World and HUM Network, with support from three ministries. Google.org funding will also help local partners scale evidence-based digital citizenship and AI safety programmes nationwide, building on the earlier Digital Safar initiative, which has reached over 300,000 learners and 5,000 teachers.