Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Online Child Safeguards
The Supreme Court is asking the Centre to respond to concerns about children using the internet.
The case was brought by the Just Rights for Children Alliance.
The group says children can face many dangers on social media and other digital platforms.
These dangers include bullying, grooming, exploitation and unsuitable content.
It also says platforms do not have a strong, common way to check users’ ages.
The group argues that children under 18 should not make digital agreements on their own.
It wants parents or legal guardians to approve such agreements.
A panel of three Supreme Court judges issued notice to the government.
The petition also asks for new rules and technical protections to keep children safer online.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a PIL seeking stronger online safeguards for children below 18.
The Just Rights for Children Alliance warned that minors face grooming, exploitation, trafficking, sextortion and other digital risks.
The petition said children can independently create platform accounts despite being ineligible to enter contracts under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
The plea asked for effective age verification and parental or guardian consent before minors enter agreements with digital platforms.
It also sought changes to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, including protections such as firewalls against online harms.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Just Rights for Children Alliance, and the Centre are involved; the case was heard by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notice on a PIL seeking safeguards to protect children below 18 from online exploitation and other digital risks.
- Where
- The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The petition says weak and inconsistent age verification exposes minors to online exploitation, data misuse, cyberbullying and age-inappropriate content.
- Petitioner
- Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA)
- Respondent
- The Centre
- Affected group
- Children below 18 years
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
- Legal provision cited
- Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Requested rule change
- A specific provision in the Information Technology Rules, 2021, or appropriate guidelines requiring parental or lawful-guardian consent
- Risks identified
- Online grooming, sexual exploitation, digital trafficking, sextortion, behavioural profiling, personal-data misuse, cyberbullying and age-inappropriate content