'Internet access is fundamental right': SC suggests ‘child mode’ for social media accounts
The Indian Supreme Court has declared internet access a fundamental right for children, emphasizing that safety and freedom are not mutually exclusive. The court suggested implementing 'child mode' features on social media to protect minors rather than imposing blanket bans.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a significant legal precedent for digital rights and child protection policies in the age of social media.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Saturday declared access to and use of the internet a fundamental right for every individual, including children, under Articles 21 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, observing that “The safety of our children and their freedom are not at odds with each other.”The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran also suggested that children’s online safety should be strengthened through measures such as a ‘child mode’ for social media accounts, rather than denying them access to the internet altogether, LiveLaw reported.A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran made the observations while issuing directions to strengthen mechanisms for detecting and removing child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) from social media platforms and other online services.According to LiveLaw, the bench said: "..we have no hesitation in saying that the right to access and use the internet is a fundamental…
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