GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Friday, April 4, declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on social media access for children below the age of 13. The petition, filed by the not-for-profit organisation Zep Foundation, had urged the court to impose restrictions citing mental health concerns.
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However, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih refused to pass any directions on the matter, stating that policy decisions on such issues fall within the government's purview. Although, in its ruling, the court did allow the petitioner to approach the central government with a representation.
The petition, filed through advocate Mohini Priya, argued that unrestricted social media access for young children violates their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes the right to health and dignity. It highlighted the rise in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies among children due to prolonged exposure to social media.
The plea also cited a study conducted by Social Media Matters, which found that a higher percentage of young users spend over five hours daily on social media. It contended that algorithm-driven content fosters addiction-like behaviour and exposes minors to predatory algorithms, unrealistic comparisons, and harmful content. The absence of regulatory oversight, it stated, has turned social media into an "unmonitored psychological battleground" for minors.
Apart from seeking a total ban on social media for children under 13, the petition additionally called for stricter regulations for users aged 13-18. It suggested mandatory parental controls, real-time monitoring tools, strict age verification, and content restrictions.
Furthermore, the plea proposed biometric authentication to regulate children's access to social media platforms and called for penalties on platforms that fail to comply with child protection regulations. It also urged the government to launch a nationwide digital literacy campaign to educate parents, teachers, and students on the dangers of excessive social media consumption.
With the court refusing to intervene, the matter now rests with the government for further consideration.
