Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea For Barring Kids Below 13 From Using Social Media

India's Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking to prohibit children below 13 from using social media. However, the apex court reportedly granted the petitioner liberty to approach the central government with a representation on the concerns raised in the plea.

According to Bar and Bench report, the Bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih noted that it is up to the government to make policy calls on such issues. The counsel representing the petitioner argued against unrestricted social media access to young children. The petition, filed by the Zep Foundation, said that unrestricted access to social media has led to a surge in mental health issues among children.

"The absence of meaningful regulatory oversight has transformed social media into an unmonitored psychological battleground, where minors are subjected to predatory algorithms, unrealistic comparisons, and deeply harmful content," the plea said. "It is a policy matter. You ask Parliament to enact the law," the bench reportedly told the petitioner's counsel.