Supreme Court Affirms Childrens Right to Internet Access Amid Safety Concerns

New Delhi, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Supreme Court of India has made a significant statement regarding children’s access to the internet and their online safety. The court emphasized that completely denying children access to the internet is not appropriate. Like all citizens, children have fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The court noted that protecting children and ensuring their freedom are not mutually exclusive. Completely isolating children from the internet is not a viable solution for ensuring their online safety. Such restrictions could lead children to unsafe and unregulated online platforms, exposing them to new risks.

To address the issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse on social media, the court proposed several measures. These include ensuring the security of children’s online accounts, promoting parental consent and guidance, and prioritizing children’s private accounts. Additionally, the court stressed the importance of limiting messages sent to children by unknown adults.

The Supreme Court also stated that the central government can impose appropriate restrictions to protect children from pornographic websites and other harmful online services. The aim should be to safeguard children from the dangers present in the online world and create a secure digital environment for them.

Furthermore, the court directed the government to develop a comprehensive national database to identify and remove content related to child sexual exploitation. Such a database would facilitate the identification and action against such material.

The court’s comments and proposed measures aim to strike a balance between children’s right to use the internet and their online safety. Instead of isolating children from the digital world, the focus is on adopting safety measures that allow them to navigate the internet while remaining protected from potential threats.