Citing the example of a social media ban on children under 16 in Australia, the court has asked the central government to consider implementing a similar restriction in India.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has advised the central government to ban children under 16 from using social media websites. The bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan heard the petition.
The central and state governments presented their arguments on the matter. After hearing the arguments of all parties, the judges issued their order.
The bench stated that, according to an order issued by the central government in 2017, it has been confirmed that methods exist to prevent such controversial and obscene videos.
However, software is necessary to completely prevent children from viewing obscene videos. The court acknowledged, however, that viewing or avoiding such obscene material is a matter of personal choice and right.
The judges ordered: “If children watch such videos, it has a more negative impact on them. Therefore, the central government in India should implement a ban along the lines of Australia, which prevents children under 16 from accessing social media.
Until then, the central and state governments, along with child rights commissions, should take measures to create awareness among children regarding this issue.”
