Chennai: The Madras High Court has urged the central government to consider enacting legislation similar to Australia’s social media laws that would prohibit children below the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, saying stronger legal safeguards are necessary to protect young users from the harms of unregulated digital exposure.
A division bench, hearing a petition focused on the adverse impact of social media on children’s mental health and wellbeing, stressed that the rapid spread of harmful content and the addictive nature of social media calls for enlightened regulation. The court said policymakers should examine the Australian model, which restricts social media use by minors and imposes compliance obligations on technology companies.
During proceedings, the court highlighted rising concerns about online bullying, exploitation and psychological distress among teenagers and younger children, noting that existing regulations may not sufficiently address the vulnerabilities of minors in the digital space. The judges urged authorities to evaluate the effectiveness of measures implemented abroad and tailor a framework suitable for Indian conditions.
The bench remarked that children often spend prolonged hours on social media, leaving them exposed to inappropriate content and behavioural pressures at an age when they are not fully equipped to deal with such influences. The court framed its observations as recommendations, pointing to the need for comprehensive legislation that would set clear age thresholds and accountability standards for social media firms.
Petitioners had argued that the absence of firm legislative safeguards leaves children at risk of manipulation and exploitation, and that voluntary guidelines or platform policies alone are inadequate. They encouraged the court to insist on a statutory regime that places the onus on both state and industry to protect young internet users.
Responding to these submissions, the bench agreed that robust legal intervention may be more effective than the current regulatory approach, and suggested that lawmakers explore models that have demonstrated tangible outcomes in other jurisdictions. The court did not issue a binding order but framed its views as a catalyst for policy action.
Counsel for the petitioners welcomed the court’s recommendations, saying that clearer rules on age-based access and heightened oversight of social media algorithms could significantly reduce harmful online exposure for children. They said such reform would help align India’s digital safety architecture with emerging global standards.
The government’s legal representatives acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that ongoing discussions on digital safety and child protection were already underway in relevant ministries, without offering specific commitments during the hearing.
The matter is expected to return to the court for further arguments, with the bench urging swift consideration of legal reforms that prioritise the wellbeing of minors using digital platforms.
