The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and Meta on a PIL alleging that Social Media Algorithms on Facebook and Instagram are designed to addict children, and seeking audits, age verification and safeguards.
The Supreme Court has held that the right to access and use the internet is a fundamental right of every individual, including children, under Articles 21 and 19(1)(a), while declining to endorse blanket age-based bans.
The Supreme Court has issued notice on the Children Social Media Safeguards Plea filed by Emerald Heights International School and listed the matter for December 7, 2026.
A school and its Director have moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre to frame and operationalise an enforceable framework to protect children on social media, or alternatively an age-based ban or restrictions.
The Government of Karnataka announced a ban on social media use for children under 16, with Siddaramaiah stating in the 2026–27 budget that the measure aims to protect youngsters from harmful effects of excessive mobile phone and social media exposure.
