Centre to make under-18 social media ban legally binding rule

The Centre has committed to revising the Information Technology Rules to transform age-based restrictions on social media into a legally binding obligation for digital platforms, following sustained judicial pressure on the issue. During Supreme Court proceedings, government representatives indicated that statutory provisions would be incorporated to ensure platforms enforce minimum age requirements for user access, moving beyond voluntary compliance frameworks.

The proposed amendment seeks to address growing concerns about children's exposure to inappropriate content and potential harm from social media use. The Court had previously emphasised the need for concrete, enforceable mechanisms rather than discretionary guidelines, prompting the government to strengthen its regulatory approach through formal rule modifications.

The move represents a significant shift toward mandatory compliance mechanisms. Rather than relying on platform self-regulation, the amended rules would establish clear legal obligations for tech companies to implement age verification systems and restrict account creation by users below the stipulated age threshold.

The initiative aligns with broader global efforts to regulate children's access to digital platforms. Industry observers note that implementation challenges remain, particularly regarding age verification methods and cross-border compliance, but the statutory framework would establish clear accountability standards for non-compliance.