Child online safety

In the news

• Supreme Court asks Centre to frame rules to stop social media firms signing up minors 29 September 2026 · Indian Express

  If a minor cannot sign a contract, how is a 13-year-old agreeing to a platform's terms of service?

• How the EU plans to keep children under 15 off social media 21 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Australia banned it for under-16s. Now Europe moves. Should India?

• Why the NCPCR has summoned Meta over ads linked to child sexual abuse material 13 September 2026 · Indian Express

  A child rights body can summon a tech giant, but can it make it act? The Meta case tests the limits.

Key facts

• On 28 September 2026 the Supreme Court, in Just Rights for Children Alliance v Union of India, asked the Centre to frame statutory rules barring social media firms from enrolling minors. (29 September 2026)
• The reasoning: under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 a minor cannot contract, and the Majority Act, 1875 fixes majority at 18. (29 September 2026)
• Australia's law barring under-16s from major social media platforms took effect in December 2025. (21 September 2026)
• India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 requires verifiable parental consent to process the data of anyone under 18. (21 September 2026)
• The NCPCR is a statutory body set up in March 2007 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. (13 September 2026)
• The NCPCR has a chairperson and six members, of whom at least two must be women, and it monitors implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012 and the RTE Act, 2009. (13 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2026 · GS3 · 10 marks Explain how fake news and disinformation pose threat to Internal Security and Public Order in Indian context? In this regard, discuss salient features of amendments in respect of Information Technology (Intermediatory…
2. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the…
3. 2024 · GS3 · 10 marks Describe the context and salient features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
4. 2024 · GS3 · 15 marks Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies…
5. 2023 · GS1 · 10 marks Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children.
6. 2017 · Essay Social media is inherently a selfish medium