Supreme Court seeks government response on child safety framework for social media

The Supreme Court has directed the Union government and the NCPCR to submit responses to a public interest litigation seeking the establishment of a statutory framework to protect children from the risks posed by social media platforms.

The petition seeks several protective measures including mandatory age verification systems to prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content. It also calls for the implementation of age-appropriate access protocols that would tailor platform features and content based on a user's age group.

Among other demands, the plea urges stronger mechanisms for obtaining verifiable parental consent before children can create accounts on social media platforms. The petitioner has emphasised the need for robust safeguards against cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, exposure to harmful material, and excessive platform usage that could impact children's mental health and development.

The court's intervention comes as concerns mount over the unregulated nature of social media consumption among Indian children and teenagers. Child welfare advocates have long highlighted the absence of comprehensive legislative measures specifically designed to regulate platforms' interaction with younger users.

With the court now seeking formal responses from both the government and the NCPCR, the case may set the stage for policy discussions on whether India requires dedicated legislation to govern children's digital safety and online rights.