The Indian government is preparing changes to the Information Technology Rules that could restrict users below the age of 18 from independently creating accounts on social media platforms. The move comes after the Supreme Court called for stronger statutory safeguards to ensure digital platforms comply with laws governing minors.
According to reports, the Centre is considering making it mandatory for social media intermediaries to prevent children below 18 from registering accounts. The proposed changes are aimed at moving beyond existing guidelines and creating a clearer legal obligation for platforms.
Centre Moves Toward a Statutory Framework
The proposed changes follow proceedings in the Supreme Court concerning the ability of minors to independently access social media and other digital platforms. The court has asked the Centre to examine whether the existing framework can be strengthened through statutory provisions under the Information Technology rules.
The issue was raised in a petition filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance, which sought safeguards for children using social media platforms. The petition argues that minors below 18 cannot independently enter into contracts under Indian law, while opening an account typically involves accepting terms of service, user agreements and privacy policies.
New Compliance Duties
If the proposed framework is implemented, social media intermediaries could be required to introduce stronger mechanisms to prevent under-18 users from independently opening accounts.
The Supreme Court has indicated that platforms should ensure their systems operate in conformity with Indian law. During the proceedings, the bench asked the Centre to consider giving the requirement statutory backing rather than leaving it as a general guideline.
This could place greater responsibility on platforms to establish and enforce age-related restrictions. However, the precise technical mechanism, including how platforms would verify a user's age and handle existing accounts belonging to minors, will depend on the final regulatory framework.
Stronger Child Safeguards
The Supreme Court's intervention has brought the issue of children's access to social media into sharper focus. The bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, has been examining the legal safeguards available to minors on digital platforms.
The proceedings have also highlighted concerns raised in the petition around online grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, inappropriate content and misuse of children's personal data.
The Centre has indicated that the matter requires consideration within an appropriate statutory framework, rather than relying solely on non-binding guidelines.
DPDP Law and Existing IT Rules Also in Focus
The proposed changes will also intersect with India's existing digital and data-protection framework. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 already contains provisions relating to children's personal data and requires verifiable parental consent for processing such data.
However, the Supreme Court proceedings have focused on a separate question: whether social media intermediaries should be legally required to prevent minors from independently creating and maintaining accounts in the first place.
What Happens Next
The proposed restriction is not yet an operational blanket ban on social media access for everyone below 18. The Centre still needs to formulate and introduce the relevant regulatory changes, after which the scope of the restrictions and platform obligations will become clearer.
The developments could mark a significant change in how social media platforms manage minors in India, particularly around account creation, age verification and compliance with laws governing children.
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