Madras HC urges Centre to consider social media ban for children like Australia
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The Madras High Court has urged the Union government to explore the possibility of introducing legislation similar to Australia’s law that bans children under the age of 16 from using social media.
The observation was made while hearing a writ petition seeking directions to internet service providers to offer a parental control option to prevent children from accessing pornographic content.
A bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan of the Madurai Bench asked authorities concerned with child welfare to step up awareness campaigns on safe internet usage, especially for children and parents. The court noted that children are highly vulnerable online and stressed that parental responsibility plays a crucial role in protecting them.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that better awareness among stakeholders and the availability of parental control features on devices could significantly reduce children’s exposure to obscene content. The lawyer also referred to legislation passed in Australia that restricts internet use for children below 16 and suggested that India consider adopting a similar legal framework.
The bench observed that effective control must begin at the user level and that parental control applications are essential tools. It added that until any legislation is introduced, authorities must ensure stronger awareness initiatives on the dangers of child pornography.
The court expressed hope that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of Child Rights would prepare and implement an action plan to increase awareness.
Australia recently became the first country to ban social media for children under 16.
Under the law passed last year, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok must remove underage users or face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the reform would allow children to have a healthier childhood, though the move has faced criticism from social media companies and some teenagers.