Will Amend IT Rules To Bar Under-18s From Social Media: Centre To SC

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it intends to amend the IT Rules to prohibit children under 18 from creating social media accounts, according to reports. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that agreements between social media intermediaries and minors are void contracts and should be prohibited. The discussion arose during a hearing on a petition filed by NGO 'Just Rights for Children Alliance', which expressed concerns about children's exposure to risks in the digital environment.

The bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana, is expected to decide on the matter. Mehta called for controlling intermediaries and emphasized the need for the Union government to introduce provisions that prevent minors from having social media accounts. The development follows other states' efforts to regulate social media for minors, with Karnataka proposing a ban for children under 16 and Andhra Pradesh considering a ban for those under 13.