Banning PUBG.

India's embarrassing mishap of banning the popular Chinese app 'Tiktok' should have been a lesson in how blanket bans, instead of regulation, can inflict more damage than the perceived benefits. Unfortunately, this message does not seem to have registered with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which when faced with some complaints about the popular mobile game 'PUBG Mobile', responded with temporarily suspending the game, instead of looking into the nature of the complaints and seeking a more measured response.

PTA's press release about the ban encouraged the public to provide feedback about the online game and the consequential suspension of it. However, had the PTA solicited the views of the public before this emergency blanket ban, it would've received sensible and scientific feedback from those most impacted on why this prohibition makes no sense. It is not fair to blame one game for addiction and deterioration of mental health-these are extremely complex and layered problems which the suspension of one game, out of thousands, will not solve. Banning an online game instead of seeking further insight into why mental health issues...