Google launches Digital Pasban to help Pakistani families stay safer online
Announced at the Safe Raho with Google event, Digital Pasban is designed to empower parents and children as more families go online for learning, entertainment, and everyday tasks.
Empowering parents and guardians
The initiative aims to reach 200,000 households with localized Urdu toolkits, instructional videos, and hands-on training. This nationwide effort brings together key partners—including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Tech Valley, Beaconhouse School System, Jazz World, and HUM Network—with the support from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, and the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination.
Digital Pasban pairs online safety tools with digital literacy, focusing on four pillars:
● Family Link puts parents in control of the basics, from screen time and app approvals to content filters and device location, through a free parental control app.
● YouTube offers age-appropriate content settings and time management features like Take a Break and Bedtime reminders. Building on these controls, an industry-first feature now lets parents set the amount of time their children can spend on Shorts, including to zero, giving families the flexibility to pause short-form content entirely when kids and teens need to focus on studying or schoolwork.
● Be Internet Awesome turns digital citizenship into content kids aged 7 to 12 actually want to explore. Built around five core principles—sharing with care, avoiding scams, securing passwords, treating others with kindness, and reporting concerns—the program reinforces these habits through the interactive online game Interland.
● Gemini rounds out the framework by helping parents guide how their children use AI responsibly. Google's assistant is introduced to families as a tool, not a companion or a person, with built in guardrails for minors that restrict role play as harmful characters and block inappropriate content. In addition, Gemini's Guided Learning feature acts as an AI tutoring mode, helping students grasp complex topics by asking targeted questions, breaking down problems step-by-step, and providing visual aids rather than simply handing over direct answers.
Digital Pasban brings online safety directly to local communities through broadcast media, SMS alerts, partner social campaigns, and school-based town halls. Central to this approach are parent and guardian safety clinics, where families can learn alongside their peers through interactive, hands-on workshops. Working side-by-side, parents can practice navigating real-world safety scenarios, building the digital literacy and shared confidence needed to support their children online.
A $500,000 commitment to digital safety
Additionally, Google.org is committing $500,000 to scale evidence-based digital citizenship and AI safety programs across the country. Working with local partners, this funding will help equip young people and adults with the tools needed to build healthy online habits and navigate digital risks confidently.
The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman said, “Digital Pasban reflects our shared commitment with Google to building a safer digital environment for Pakistan’s children and families. Through practical tools, localized resources and school-based engagement, this initiative will empower parents to guide their children towards safer and more responsible digital experiences. We appreciate Google and all partner organizations for their contribution to this important whole-of-society effort.”
Farhan Qureshi, Google's Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Frontier Markets said, “Pakistan’s digital ecosystem continues to grow and more people are coming online to learn, create and connect. Supporting this momentum means protecting children in the digital space, not keeping them from it. Google delivers on this commitment by designing products that are safe and secure by default, and we build on that foundation through initiatives like Digital Pasban to empower families with essential digital literacy. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it requires strong cross-sector partnerships to ensure every family in Pakistan can explore the internet with confidence.”
Tech Valley CEO, Umar Farooq said, "For a decade, Tech Valley has worked to bring the world's best technology to Pakistan's classrooms but access alone is not enough. Parents across the country tell us the same thing: the digital world is moving faster than their ability to guide their children through it, and that gap is where anxiety grows. Digital Pasban is built to close it, turning concern into confidence through safety clinics, parental toolkits, and practical guidance families can use the same day they learn it. Reaching 200,000 households is where we begin, not where we finish, and we invite every parent and teacher across Pakistan to build this safer digital future with us."
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO JazzWorld, said, “As more of our lives move online, helping families navigate the digital world safely and confidently is becoming increasingly important. At JazzWorld, our responsibility goes beyond connecting people; it includes helping families understand the digital environment and make informed, responsible choices. Digital Pasban is a meaningful step in bringing practical safety tools, awareness and guidance to parents and children. We are proud to partner with Google and other stakeholders to help build a safer, more inclusive and digitally empowered Pakistan.”
Digital Pasban builds directly on Google's long-standing investment in Pakistan's digital future. Through the Digital Safar initiative, Google has trained over 300,000 students and 5,000 educators in digital citizenship—combining Be Internet Awesome content with Gemini Academy training. This foundation was deepened through a landmark partnership with Punjab Province, migrating its Ministry of Education to Google for Education and bringing secure, AI-powered learning tools and safety curricula to 1.5 million students.
To explore the educational resources and bring these tools to your community, access the full Digital Pasban toolkit through this link.
