Supreme Court asks Centre to examine safeguards for minors

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to examine enforceable statutory safeguards for minors’ social-media accounts, but the government has not yet announced a final policy or enacted new rules. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court the Centre would consider the issue and take steps, leaving open whether any framework would bar under-18 accounts, permit access with parental consent or use other protections. The request came during a hearing on a petition by the Just Rights for Children Alliance, which seeks safeguards for children using social media and other digital platforms. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked the government to consider requiring platforms to operate in conformity with Indian law, including provisions concerning minors’ ability to enter contracts. The judges said any requirement should have statutory force rather than remain only a guideline. The proceedings focused on whether intermediary rules could be used to impose enforceable obligations on platforms.