Courts in India and Pakistan review child safety and social media regulations

The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Union government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks to restrict minors under 18 from independently maintaining social media accounts. The petition, filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance, argues that such accounts violate the Indian Contract Act, 1872, as minors lack the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. The plea highlights risks including online grooming, sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, and data profiling, suggesting the implementation of digital firewalls and parental consent mechanisms.

In a separate legal matter, the Supreme Court has also sought responses from the Centre and state governments concerning a plea for a uniform nationwide mechanism to investigate child kidnapping and abduction. The petition calls for time-bound probes, special investigation procedures, and the establishment of dedicated courts to ensure cases are resolved within one year. It further proposes the confiscation of assets belonging to perpetrators and their families to act as a deterrent.

Concurrently, in Pakistan, a petition has been filed with the Federal Constitutional Court seeking to restrict social media access for children under 16. The plea calls for mandatory age verification and stronger safeguards against cyberbullying and harmful content, citing the need to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.