In a major policy shift aimed at child safety online the Central Government has announced plans to amend the Information Technology Intermediary Rules to restrict minors under 18 from creating independent social media accounts. The Centre informed the Supreme Court that it will turn age restrictions into a strict legal obligation for digital platforms like Instagram X Facebook and YouTube. Under Indian contract law agreements entered into by individuals under 18 are legally void.
Since signing up for social media requires agreeing to digital terms of service legal experts argue that minors cannot independently consent to these contracts. The proposed changes aim to shield teenagers from online grooming cyberbullying financial scams and predatory digital behavior.
If implemented social media companies will be forced to replace basic self declaration age prompts with robust age verification mechanisms and mandatory parental consent frameworks. Failure to comply could strip platforms of their legal protections under Indian law and expose them to heavy penalties. While access to online learning tools will remain protected with parental approval independent social media registration for teenagers may soon become a thing of the past across India.
