No Ban on Social Media for Kids Under 13, Says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court refused to ban social media for young children. In an important decision on April 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of India rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that asked to ban children under 13 years of age from using social media platforms. The PIL, filed by Zep Foundation and represented by advocate Mohini Priya, highlighted that children are being exposed to harmful and sexual content online, leading to mental stress, addiction, and risks like anxiety, depression, and self-harm.

Not the Court’s Job, Says Supreme Court

The bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih clarified that such matters should be handled by the government and lawmakers, not by the Court.

While refusing to ban social media for children under 13, the Supreme Court allowed the Zep Foundation to submit its concerns to the Central Government, which the government had to consider within eight weeks.

Key Demands Made in the Petition

The PIL made strong suggestions to protect minors online. Some of the main ideas were:

• Ban social media access for children below 13.
• Mandatory parental controls for teenagers aged 13 to 18.
• Real-time monitoring tools to watch what kids are doing online.
• Biometric verification to make sure children don’t lie about their age.
• Penalties for social media companies that don’t follow the rules.
• Nationwide digital literacy campaigns to educate people about the risks of social media overuse.

Also Read: NCW Calls for Stricter Rules to Curb Obscene Content on Social Media

Studies Show Serious Risks for Young Minds

The petition highlighted data from a study by Social Media Matters, which found that many young users in India spend more than five hours a day on social media. The content they engage with is often addictive and harmful, designed to keep them online for longer.

Over 462 million social media users in India, including children aged 4 to 18, comprise 30% of the population. The risk of mental health issues is extremely high, the petition said. It described social media as a “psychological battleground” for minors where they face predatory content and unhealthy social comparisons.

Article 21 and Children’s Rights

The Zep Foundation argued that unrestricted social media use violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which ensures the right to life, dignity, and health. They said early exposure to such content puts children’s rights in danger.

What Happens Now?

However, the Supreme Court acknowledged that the issue was serious and important. It ruled that it cannot make a law on this matter. The Court has passed the responsibility to the government, and now it’s up to the Parliament and relevant ministries to act.

Children under 13 can continue to access social media, but the debate on online safety for kids in India is far from over.

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