Google launches Digital Pasban to boost online safety in Pakistan

Google has introduced Digital Pasban in Pakistan, a national programme that commits $500,000 through Google.org to reach 200,000 households with Urdu-language safety tools. According to Business Recorder, the initiative was unveiled on Thursday at the Safe Raho with Google event. Its aim is to help families manage online risks as more people use the internet for learning, entertainment and daily tasks.

The programme rests on four areas. Family Link gives parents control over screen time, app approvals, content filters and location tracking through a free app. YouTube now lets parents set how much time children spend on Shorts, down to zero, alongside bedtime reminders. Be Internet Awesome targets children aged 7 to 12 through the Interland game, while Gemini includes guardrails for minors and a tutoring mode that guides students rather than giving direct answers.

Partners include the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Tech Valley, Beaconhouse School System, Jazz World and HUM Network, with backing from three federal ministries. Outreach will use broadcast media and SMS alerts, along with school town halls and parent safety clinics. Google said the effort builds on Digital Safar, an earlier initiative that has reached 300,000 students and 5,000 educators in digital citizenship.