Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on social media CESAM reporting
The Supreme Court of India is a very important court that makes big decisions about the law.
It is now looking into a serious problem about keeping children safe online.
Some reports said that a social media app called Instagram showed advertisements that were not safe for children.
The court wants the government to explain what it is doing about this problem.
It sent an official notice to the government's technology ministry asking for a response.
A group called Just Rights for Children Alliance, which works to protect children, asked the court to look into the issue.
The court agreed to listen and asked for the group's arguments.
The court also said the social media companies involved should be part of the case.
This is to make sure bad content that harms children is reported and dealt with.
The goal is to protect children from harm while they use the internet.
The Supreme Court sought the Centre's response on a petition seeking enforcement of its directions requiring social media intermediaries to report Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CESAM).
A bench of Justices Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala and Krishnan Vinod Chandran issued a notice to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The application was filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA), a civil society network of NGOs working against sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and child marriage.
The application cited a BBC report alleging that Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting CESAM.
The court allowed the applicant to implicate the concerned social media intermediaries, and the filing also referenced an Indian Express report that the Centre had issued notice to Meta, which owns Instagram.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala and Krishnan Vinod Chandran, the Centre represented by MeitY, and applicant Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA).
- What
- The Supreme Court sought the Centre's response on a petition seeking enforcement of mandatory reporting of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CESAM) by social media intermediaries, and allowed the applicant to implicate those intermediaries.
- When
- On a Friday (exact date not stated in the article).
- Where
- India - proceedings before the Supreme Court, involving the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Why
- To enforce the court's directions on mandatory CESAM reporting after a BBC report alleged Instagram ran paid advertisements promoting CESAM and an Indian Express report said the Centre had issued notice to Meta.
- Court
- Supreme Court (bench of Justices Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala and Krishnan Vinod Chandran)
- Notice issued to
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Applicant
- Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA)
- Subject
- Enforcement of mandatory CESAM reporting by social media intermediaries
- Key allegation
- BBC report alleged Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting CESAM
- Related development
- Indian Express reported the Centre issued a notice to Meta, which owns Instagram, over the allegations
- Court order
- Applicant allowed to implicate the concerned social media intermediaries in the matter