On 28 September 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union Government to address the legal and regulatory gap concerning minors’ access to social media platforms. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA), the Court observed that social media platforms allowing minors to create accounts must comply with Indian law and asked the Centre to take appropriate measures within the existing statutory framework. The Court indicated that if corrective action is not taken, it may issue directions to intermediaries. The matter highlights growing concerns around children’s online safety, data protection, and the accountability of digital platforms. The government also informed the Court that it is preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reporting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online. The case remains under consideration.
From an enabling environment perspective, future regulations may require platforms to strengthen age verification, parental consent mechanisms, content moderation systems, and child-safety protocols. Such reforms could improve online safety and accountability while also raising debates about privacy, surveillance, and access to digital spaces. Civil society organizations should monitor policy and regulatory developments and promote balanced regulations that enhance child protection while preserving privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information.