Supreme Court Questions How Minors Can Have Social Media Accounts
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Prelims + Mains·
Legal incompetence of minors and contract law: a relevant GS2 and Ethics case study.
Why in news
The Supreme Court questioned the legality of minors holding social media accounts, noting that minors are legally incompetent to enter contracts, and directed platforms to adopt an 18-year age threshold.
Background
The Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, heard a plea from the NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance. The court noted that contracts entered into by minors are void ab initio.
Facts for Prelims
- FactThe Court directed social media platforms to adopt an 18-year age threshold for memberships.
- PostTushar Mehta: Solicitor General of India.
- FactNew regulations regarding digital safeguards for children are expected to take effect in 2027.
Prelims practice question
What is the legal status of a contract entered into by a minor according to the Supreme Court?
- (a)Voidable
- (b)Void ab initio
- (c)Valid
- (d)Ultra vires
Show answer
Answer: (b) Void ab initio — The court noted that contracts entered into by minors are void ab initio.
For Mains
Q. Examine the legal and ethical challenges in regulating social media access for minors in India given the current contractual incompetence of minors.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Legal vacuum: Current contract laws render minor-led social media agreements void ab initio.
- Regulatory lag: Reliance on temporary measures until 2027 regulations provide permanent digital safeguards.
- Platform accountability: Balancing user privacy with the state's duty to protect children from online harms.
Keywords: void ab initio · digital safeguards · legal incompetence · minor protection · regulatory framework
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.