The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre's response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition demanding a ban on minors operating social media accounts, highlighting the need for robust safeguards. The petition argues that minors are statutorily incapable of entering into contracts under the Indian Contract Act, rendering their acceptance of social media user agreements void, according to livemint.com.
The petition also requested guidance for social media platforms on implementing effective age-assurance mechanisms to prevent minors from accessing these services. The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of safeguarding minors in the digital space and asked the Centre to provide its stance on the proposed ban and related protective measures. The hearing reflects growing concerns over the exposure of minors to social media content without adequate legal protections, as reported by livemint.com.
This case comes amid increasing scrutiny of digital platforms and their responsibility towards younger users. The argument that minors cannot legally consent to user agreements challenges the current operational framework of social media companies in India. Comparable regulatory discussions are underway globally, focusing on age verification and content moderation to protect children online. The Supreme Court’s intervention marks a critical moment in shaping India’s digital policy landscape concerning minors’ online safety, as detailed by livemint.com.
The Supreme Court’s request for the Centre’s response sets the stage for a significant legal examination of minors’ access to social media. The next hearing will likely clarify the government’s position on enforcing age restrictions and the potential introduction of mandatory safeguards for social media platforms to protect minors, according to livemint.com.