Supreme Court asks Centre to frame rules for minors’ social media accounts

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central government to consider framing statutory rules to ensure social media platforms comply with Indian contract law, which bars minors from entering into binding agreements. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard a plea by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance seeking safeguards for children under 18 accessing digital platforms.

The court noted that social media accounts activated by minors are based on contracts that are void under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act. Justice Bagchi asked the government to direct intermediaries to enforce an 18-year minimum age threshold. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the issue may be covered by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, but the petitioner pointed out that Act's provisions take effect only in 2027. Mehta assured the court: "Something can be done, something should be done, and it will be done."