Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Statutory Rules for Minors’ Social Media Access
The Supreme Court is asking the government to make stronger rules for children using social media.
This does not mean children would be banned from using the internet.
The main question is whether people younger than 18 should be allowed to create their own social media accounts.
Many platforms currently let users aged 13 or older join by stating their age or birth date.
The petition says this may conflict with Indian laws about minors entering contracts.
One possible solution is requiring a parent or guardian to give permission.
Platforms might also have to verify the parent’s identity.
The petition raised concerns including grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, and misuse of children’s information.
The government will consider the options before the Supreme Court hears the matter again.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to examine statutory safeguards for minors using social media and digital platforms.
The proposed framework could make 18 the minimum age for independently creating and maintaining platform accounts.
The court said platforms should design their software to comply with Indian law governing minors.
The Just Rights for Children Alliance argues that current age policies, often allowing users aged 13 and above, conflict with Indian contract law.
Possible measures include parental or guardian consent, identity verification, and e-KYC before minors enter platform contracts.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Centre, the Just Rights for Children Alliance, and social media platforms are involved; the case was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
- What
- The court asked the Centre to consider statutory rules requiring platforms to comply with Indian law on minors, potentially including an 18-year minimum for independent account membership.
- When
- The Supreme Court made the request on Monday; the matter is expected to be heard again after the government considers it.
- Where
- The proposed rules would apply to social media platforms and other digital intermediaries operating in India.
- Why
- The petition seeks safeguards against risks to minors and argues that independently accepting platform terms may conflict with Indian laws governing minors’ contractual capacity.
Independent 18-plus membership
Guardian-consent access for minors
How minors should access platforms
Independent 18-plus membership
The petition and the court’s discussion support rules that would prevent minors from independently creating and maintaining social media accounts, with 18 as the minimum membership threshold.
Guardian-consent access for minors
The Solicitor General suggested that a regulatory system could allow minors to use platforms if a parent or legal guardian enters into the contractual relationship and provides consent.
How platforms should comply
Independent 18-plus membership
The court said platforms should fashion their software in conformity with Indian law through statutory directions, rather than relying only on voluntary guidelines or existing age policies.
Guardian-consent access for minors
The government is considering how existing intermediary rules could be strengthened, including consent and identity-verification mechanisms; no final system has been announced.
- Proposed minimum age
- 18 years for independently obtaining platform membership
- Current practice cited
- Platforms generally allow users aged 13 and above to create accounts by declaring their age or birth date
- Petitioner
- Just Rights for Children Alliance
- Relevant law cited
- Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act
- Possible safeguard
- Parental or legal guardian consent
- Possible verification
- Identity verification or e-KYC of the parent or guardian
- Risks cited
- Grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, sextortion, cyberbullying, profiling, misuse of personal information, and age-inappropriate content
- Next step
- The Centre will examine whether safeguards can be incorporated into the statutory intermediary framework
