The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to make rules that regulate how children access and use social media platforms.
Once the rules are framed, platforms are likely to face stricter age checks and parental-consent requirements. Parents worried about online abuse of a child can report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. For child-protection emergencies, call 1098.
Several laws already apply to children online. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 requires verifiable consent of a parent or lawful guardian before a platform processes the personal data of a child, defined as anyone under 18, and bars tracking, behavioural monitoring and targeted advertising directed at children. Rules under that Act were notified in 2025 with obligations phased in. The Information Technology Act, 2000 punishes publishing child sexual abuse material, and the POCSO Act, 2012 covers sexual offences against children, including online.
In practice, platforms must also follow the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require a grievance officer and quick removal of certain unlawful content once reported. Any new rules framed by the Centre following the Supreme Court's direction would add to this framework. Until such rules are notified, the existing laws continue to govern how platforms deal with children's accounts and content.
There is no single dedicated set of social media rules for children yet; the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to frame them. Meanwhile, the DPDP Act requires parental consent for processing children's data, and the IT Act, POCSO Act and IT Rules 2021 already apply to harmful content and offences against children.
Save evidence such as screenshots and profile links, block and report the account on the platform, and report the matter at cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930. If the child is in danger or sexual exploitation is involved, call 1098 or 112 and approach the police, who must register an FIR for such offences.
The Supreme Court's direction is to frame rules regulating access and use. What those rules will contain, whether age checks, parental consent requirements or other limits, is not yet known. Parents should follow official notifications from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for the final position.
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