New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to issue instructions to all social media companies stating that children under the age group of
18 years of age cannot create social media accounts.
The top court noted that permission to hold an account could potentially be granted after a certain age, provided there is parental supervision. The Supreme Court made the observation while hearing the plea by ‘Just Rights of Children Alliance’
Senior Advocate HS Phoolka, while representing the petioner, argued that while children under the age of 18 cannot independently enter into any form of contract, they create accounts by accepting the terms and conditions of social media platforms.
What Supreme Court noted during the hearing?
The apex Court asked the Centre to consider giving statutory backing, under the Intermediary Rules, to a mechanism prohibiting individuals under 18 from independently entering into contracts with social media platforms. The petition also sought a system allowing limited access for children under 18, subject to the consent and supervision of parents or legal guardians—rather than completely barring them from digital platforms.
Notably, while there are several rules for social media and digital platforms under the existing Intermediary Rules, the petition alleges the absence of an effective and uniform age-verification mechanism to prevent minors from creating accounts. The Court had previously emphasized the need for guidelines regarding the online safety of minors. During a hearing in September, the Court stated that safety measures regarding this matter should be in place in India.
