ISLAMABAD: Google has introduced a new national initiative in Pakistan called Digital Pasban(Guardian) to help families navigate the digital world safely.
The program was announced during the Be Internet Safe with Google event and aims to equip parents and children with practical tools and knowledge to use the internet responsibly.
Under the program, Google will reach 200,000 households across Pakistan with safety toolkits, training videos, and hands-on guidance, all available in Urdu. The initiative comes at a time when more Pakistani families are relying on the internet for education, entertainment, and daily tasks.
Digital Guardian includes a free parental control app that lets parents manage screen time, approve apps, filter content, and locate devices. For YouTube, the program introduces age-appropriate settings along with “Take a Break” and “Bedtime Reminder” features.
A new control also allows parents to set limits on YouTube Shorts or turn them off completely to help children focus on school work. For children aged 7 to 12, Google is using its interactive game Interland to teach digital citizenship based on five principles: sharing with care, avoiding scams, protecting passwords, treating others kindly online, and reporting anything concerning.
The program also addresses artificial intelligence, positioning Google’s Gemini as a learning tool rather than a companion. It includes safety protections for minors and a guided learning feature that helps students understand difficult topics step by step instead of just providing direct answers.
To spread awareness, Google will use television, SMS alerts, partner campaigns on social media, and town hall sessions in schools. A key part of the effort will be Safety Clinics where parents can attend interactive workshops and practice handling real online safety situations alongside their peers.
The program is being rolled out with support from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Tech Valley, Beaconhouse School System, Jazz World, and HUM Network.
It also has the backing of the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the Ministry of Federal Education, and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. Google.org has announced a $500,000 grant to expand digital citizenship and AI safety programs across the country.
Speaking at the launch, PTA Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman said Digital Guardian reflects a shared commitment to creating a safer digital environment for Pakistani children and families.
Google’s Cluster Director for Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Frontier Markets, Farhan Qureshi, said the goal is not to keep children away from the internet but to protect them while they learn, create, and connect online.
Tech Valley CEO Umar Farooq noted that while access to technology has grown, many parents still struggle to guide their children in a fast-changing digital space. He said the program is designed to fill that gap with tools families can use immediately.
Jazz World CEO Aamir Ibrahim added that as more of daily life moves online, it is equally important to help families stay safe and make informed digital choices. Digital Guardian builds on Google’s earlier efforts in Pakistan, including the Digital Journey program that has trained more than 300,000 students and 5,000 teachers, and a partnership with the Punjab government that brought Google for Education and AI-powered learning tools to 1.5 million students.
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