The digital age presents complex challenges, particularly for younger generations. The Madras High Court has urged the Indian Central government to consider legislation for a social media age restriction India for children under 16, similar to Australia’s model. This recommendation, arising from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning online pornography and the need to protect minors, highlights a global consensus on shielding young minds from online harms and aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat goals.
Australia’s Precedent for Social Media Age Restriction in India
Australia has established a precedent with the “Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024,” passed on November 28, 2024, and effective December 10, 2025. This law mandates a minimum age of 16 for accounts on specified social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Facebook, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, Kick).
- Platform Responsibility: Social media companies must implement “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts.
- Penalties: Non-compliant companies face penalties up to AUD 49.5 million (approx. $50 million).
- Focus: The law targets corporate accountability, not children or parents.
- Rationale: To safeguard the mental health and well-being of young Australians from cyberbullying, harmful content, and predation.
India’s Digital Dilemma: The Path Towards Child Online Safety
The Madras High Court’s suggestion is a strategic consideration aligned with India’s long-term vision. The court observed that existing awareness campaigns are insufficient for the scale of online vulnerabilities faced by children, necessitating more stringent, legally binding frameworks.
The Madras High Court’s Implication for Social Media Age Restriction in India
The court’s call for an Australia-like law addresses a gap in current regulations regarding mandatory minimum age for social media access. While India has made progress in child protection, a platform-enforced age restriction could be transformative, bolstering parental responsibility with governmental action and corporate diligence.
India’s child protection efforts are supported by several frameworks under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision:
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks:
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Holds platforms accountable for user safety and mandates removal of harmful content.
- Section 67B of the IT Act, 2000: Imposes severe penalties for offenses related to child sexual abuse material online.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023: Regulates children’s data use, requiring verifiable parental consent for users under 18 and prohibiting tracking, behavioral monitoring, and targeted advertising for minors.
Institutional Efforts and Guidelines:
- Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD): Organizes cybersecurity awareness workshops and integrates technology for enhanced legal safeguards.
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): Issued guidelines for child protection in the entertainment industry (including social media) and engages with platforms on online child safety.
Awareness and Capacity Building:
- MWCD and the Ministry of Education are incorporating cyber safety into school curricula and conducting workshops for digital resilience.
Reporting and Response Mechanisms:
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)**) provide mechanisms for reporting cybercrimes, especially against women and children.
The Madras High Court’s recommendation acts as a catalyst, indicating that a more direct and preventative approach, specifically a social media age restriction India, is warranted. Adopting an Australia-like law would align India with global best practices and significantly fortify its efforts for a safer online environment, ensuring children’s digital development does not compromise their well-being. This is an indispensable investment in the nation’s future as India progresses towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
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