नवीनतम
SC bins PIL seeking social media ban for kids below 13
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Terming it a policy matter, the Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking to debar children below 13 years from using social media.
“It is a policy matter. You ask Parliament to enact the law,” a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih said even as it granted liberty to petitioner Zep Foundation to make a representation to the authorities concerned. In case the petitioner made a representation, it would be considered within eight weeks, the Bench said.
Unchecked digital engagement of minors was akin to a public health emergency, the plea said, citing reports that indicated India had over 462 million active social media users, covering 32.2 per cent of the total population, with mobile connectivity reaching 78 per cent.
Referring to the severe physical, mental and psychological impact of social media on young minds, the petitioner sought a direction to mandate introduction of robust age verification systems, like biometric authentication to regulate children’s access to social media platforms.
It sought directions to the Centre and others to incorporate provisions of mandatory parental controls for children between 13 and 18 years, including real-time monitoring tools, strict age verification and content restrictions in the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules.
