4 hrs ago
Supreme Court Seeks Centre Reply on Minors’ Social Media Accounts
India’s Supreme Court is considering a request about children using social media.
The request asks that people under 18 not create and run social-media accounts by themselves.
The group behind the request says Indian law does not allow minors to make valid contracts.
Social-media accounts usually require users to agree to platform rules and privacy policies.
The group says children need stronger age checks and parental-consent protections online.
It warns about grooming, exploitation, trafficking, bullying, harmful content and misuse of personal information.
It described a case in which two girls were allegedly lured online and moved toward the Siliguri region.
The court asked the government to respond to the request.
The court also said children should still be able to access educational content through accounts managed by parents or guardians.
The Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response to a PIL seeking to stop people under 18 from independently creating and maintaining digital-platform accounts.
The petition argues that minors cannot enter valid contracts under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
The NGO says accepting platforms’ terms of service creates a legal and regulatory inconsistency for minors.
It requested verifiable age checks, parental consent and safeguards against grooming, exploitation, trafficking, cyberbullying and data misuse.
The court said minors should retain access to lawful educational content through accounts controlled by parents or guardians, with the matter tentatively listed for September 25.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Centre and the NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance are involved; the case was filed through advocate Saksham Maheshwari.
- What
- The court sought the Centre’s response to a PIL seeking restrictions on minors independently creating and maintaining accounts on social media and other digital platforms.
- Where
- The case was heard by the Supreme Court of India and concerns digital platforms operating in India.
- When
- The matter was heard on Thursday and was tentatively listed for further hearing on September 25.
- Why
- The petitioner cites minors’ inability to enter contracts under Indian law and risks including grooming, exploitation, trafficking, cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content and misuse of personal data.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Just Rights for Children Alliance
- Bench
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
- Government ministries asked to respond
- The Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Law and Labour
- Legal issue
- Whether minors who cannot legally contract can independently accept digital platforms’ terms and maintain accounts
- Requested safeguards
- Verifiable age assurance, parental consent and restrictions on independent minor accounts
- Platforms and services covered
- Social media, online gaming, content-sharing, live-streaming and other user-generated-content platforms
- Court clarification
- Minors should retain access to lawful, educational and age-appropriate content through parent- or guardian-controlled accounts
Quotes
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and leader of the Supreme Court bench hearing the petition
“We need some safeguard in India”
indianexpress.com
“There should be some firewalls”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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