Centre Backs Supreme Court, Plans Legal Bar on Social Media Accounts for Under-18s
The government said the change will make platforms legally responsible for blocking minor sign-ups as the court weighs child safety risks.
- On Monday, the Centre told the Supreme Court it would amend the Information Technology Rules to prevent children under 18 from opening social media accounts, reinforcing existing guidelines through new statutory measures.
- The NGO Just Rights argued that the lack of effective enforcement exposes children to foreseeable risks like cyberbullying and behavioral profiling, while officials agreed that contracts entered into by minors are void.
- Justice Bagchi noted that platforms importing restrictions applicable in the US into India's digital space is "impermissible under Indian law," asserting they must restrict registration to a minimum threshold of 18 years.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed the Centre will make it a statutory obligation for intermediaries to bar minors, stating, "They will have to conform to Indian laws and there is no doubt about it."
- CJI Kant directed the government to formalize these requirements, though Mehta noted that "Membership of educational websites can be taken through consent of parents.
17 Articles
17 Articles
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Will India Ban Social Media Accounts for Under-18 Users Under New Rules? | 📲 LatestLY
The Centre plans to amend the Information Technology Intermediary Rules to prevent children under 18 from independently opening social media accounts. The move follows a Supreme Court hearing on digital child safety, with the government agreeing that platforms should enforce an 18-year age threshold through a statutory mechanism. 📲 Will India Ban Social Media Accounts for Under-18 Users Under New Rules?.
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaCentre backs Supreme Court, plans legal bar on social media accounts for under-18s
The Centre plans to amend the Information Technology Rules to restrict children under 18 from opening social media accounts. During a Supreme Court hearing, officials acknowledged the risks children face in the digital environment. The government has agreed to make it mandatory for intermediaries to prevent minors from registering on these platforms. Existing guidelines will be reinforced through new statutory measures.
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