Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Social Media Safeguards for Minors
What Happened
The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central government on a PIL seeking stronger safeguards for children under 18 using social media and other digital platforms. The petition argues that the lack of effective age verification exposes minors to risks such as online grooming, sexual exploitation, sextortion, cyberbullying, trafficking, and age-inappropriate content. The court observed that India needs safeguards and suggested "firewalls" to better protect children online.
Key Takeaways
The petition seeks measures such as mandatory parental consent, age-verification mechanisms, and possible changes to the Information Technology Rules, 2021. If acted upon, the case could shape future regulations governing how minors access social media platforms in India.