New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to prevent children below 18 years of age from independently creating and maintaining accounts on social media and other digital platforms.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice on the petition filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance through advocate Saksham Maheshwari.
The PIL argues that minors are currently allowed to independently create and operate accounts on social media platforms despite being legally incapable of entering into contracts under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. It contends that agreements entered into by minors are void from the outset and that the absence of an effective, uniform mechanism to address this limitation in the digital environment leaves children vulnerable to multiple online risks.
The petitioner has cited threats including online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, behavioural profiling, misuse of personal data, cyberbullying and exposure to age-inappropriate content, which it says can affect children’s safety, dignity, development and well-being.
The organisation has sought directions to ensure that persons below 18 cannot independently enter into contracts with digital platforms, including social media, online gaming, content-sharing, live-streaming and other user-generated-content services.
At the same time, the plea proposes that minors should continue to have access to lawful, educational and age-appropriate digital content through accounts maintained and controlled by parents or lawful guardians under an appropriate regulatory framework.
The petition refers to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and a NITI Aayog report on online safety for children. It also cites the terms of service of platforms including Meta, Snap, YouTube and Instagram.
The petitioner has referred to incidents in which minors were allegedly lured through social media and subsequently exploited, including a case involving girls who were allegedly trapped through a K-pop lure before being rescued.
The PIL maintains that the existing digital ecosystem lacks adequate and uniform safeguards against online harms and seeks a regulatory framework that protects minors while preserving their access to legitimate and educational digital content.
The matter has been tentatively listed for further hearing on September 25.
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