Centre, NCPCR ordered to respond to PIL for robust social media safeguards to shield minors

The plea called for mandatory age verification, age-appropriate access, verifiable parental consent and stronger safeguards against cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, harmful content and excessive platform use.

Source

The Hindu — National →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Supreme Court has sought replies from the Centre and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on a PIL for a framework to protect children from social media risks.
02A PIL has been filed seeking mandatory age verification, age-appropriate access, verifiable parental consent, and stronger safeguards against cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and excessive platform use.
03The PIL seeks a comprehensive and enforceable national framework to protect children from social media harms.
04The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and NCPCR on a public interest litigation seeking a national framework to protect minors from cyber risks, grooming, bullying, and other online threats.
05A national framework to protect children from social media risks has been sought by a PIL filed in the Supreme Court.
06The PIL seeks stronger safeguards against cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and excessive platform use.
07The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and child rights commission on regulating children's social media use.

Trap alerts

Most people think that the PIL is seeking to ban social media completely, but actually it is seeking a framework to regulate and protect children from its risks.
Most people think that the NCPCR is a government agency, but actually it is an autonomous body established under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
Most people think that the PIL is seeking to impose strict age restrictions on social media use, but actually it is seeking a framework that balances children's online freedom with their safety and well-being.

Current-affairs link

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which mandate intermediaries to follow due diligence and ensure that children's online safety and well-being are protected.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

Which body is responsible for protecting the rights of children?

A.National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
B.Supreme Court of India
C.Ministry of Human Resource Development
D.National Human Rights Commission

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is responsible for protecting the rights of children. It is a statutory body established under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Supreme Court's role in protecting children from social media risks: 1. The Supreme Court has sought replies from the Centre and the NCPCR on a PIL for a framework to protect children from social media risks. 2. The Supreme Court has the power to enforce the Centre's policies on social media regulation. 3. The Supreme Court has the authority to investigate and prosecute cases of cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

The fact list only mentions that the Supreme Court has sought replies from the Centre and the NCPCR, but does not provide any information about the Court's power to enforce policies or investigate/prosecute cases.

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