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Citing the increasing exposure of minors to harmful online content, the Madras High Court has suggested that the Center may explore the possibility of bringing in a law similar to Australia’s, which prevents children below 16 years of age from using social media.
This comment was made by Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan’s division bench while disposing of a PIL seeking direction to internet service providers to offer parental controls to prevent access to obscene content.
Recognizing that children are particularly vulnerable online and that parents bear significant responsibility, the bench stressed the need for strong institutional mechanisms. In this context, the judges pointed to Australia’s recent law restricting access to social media for children under 16, which the Center could consider as a model.
However, the court stressed the need for immediate measures. “Until such a law is passed, the authorities will have to intensify their awareness campaigns more effectively and convey the message to vulnerable groups through all available media,” the bench said.
The PIL was filed in 2018 by S Vijayakumar of Madurai district, who highlighted the ease with which young children can access pornographic material online. He sought intervention from authorities, including the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, to ensure better protection of minors in the digital sphere.