Centre reportedly plans curbs on social media use by users under 18
The Union government is said to be preparing changes to the IT Intermediary Rules, as the Supreme Court raises concern over minors' online safety.
Children now use social media heavily. Many claim this affects their mental health, and concern is voiced constantly. For this reason, several countries have decided to ban social media for children.
A similar decision may soon be taken in India too. The Union government is said to be planning some restrictions on social media for users below 18 years of age.
It is said that the Centre is preparing to make major changes to the IT Intermediary Rules. Under the new provisions, strict rules could be imposed on the social media accounts of minors.
The Supreme Court has also expressed concern over the use of social media by minor users. The court has voiced worry over children's online safety and, in its observation, said that social media accounts should not be opened for minors.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-governmental organisation, Just Rights for Children Alliance. The petition demands that strong firewalls and strict rules be put in place for children's digital safety.
The Bench expressed concern that false dates of birth are used to gain access to Facebook and Instagram and to open accounts. During the hearing, the court raised the point that "digital terms of service" are a legal contract, and that under Indian law minors cannot sign it. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta immediately agreed with the point.
The petition lists the dangerous things children face while using social media. These include serious problems such as online grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and misuse of personal data.
The petition also claims that big social media platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat allow children aged 13 or above to create accounts on the basis of the date of birth the children choose, and that this goes against Indian rules. In India, anyone below 18 is legally considered a minor.
Even as the government is said to be preparing to change the rules, the question of children's online safety has come up for discussion in the Supreme Court.
