The petition seeks the establishment of a regulatory framework and guidelines to restrict social media access for children under 13 and regulate content for those aged 13-16, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of existing child protection and data privacy laws.

O R D E R

1. This petition has been filed with the following prayers:-

i. Allow the present Petition;

ii. Issue a Writ in the nature of Mandamus or any other Writ directing the Respondent No. 1 to 5 to consider the Issuance of viable Guidelines, Regulations and Enactment of Legislation for protection of children under the age of 13 years by imposing restrictions on their social media access and regulating the content for children from the age of 13 years to 16 years of age.

iii. Issue Guidelines for Respondent No. 1 to 5, for Stricter implementation of the existing laws i.e. Information Technology Act, 2000; Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

iv. Direct Respondents No.1 to 5 to Issue Guidelines against circulation of inappropriate exploitative material affecting the psychological health of children.

v. Direct the Respondent No. 1 to 5 to Issue Guidelines for Imposing Overnight Curfews on the Access to Social Media Platforms for children from 13 to 16 years of age.

vi. Issue Directions to Respondent No. 1 to 5 to oversee the Operations of Respondents No. 6 to 10, so that proper Implementation of the Privacy Policies curated for children can be ensured.

vii. Issue Directions to Respondent No. 1 to 5 to ensure that Respondent No. 6 to 10, Implements a Viable Verification Model in their Interface for proper verification of user, Model like Digi Yatra should be implemented with Adhaar ID of the Child or the Child as well as the Parent, keeping in mind the privacy of the user.

viii. Direct Respondent No.1 to 5 to Issue Guidelines for Content Filteration all over the social media platforms and banning of CSAM Containing URLs as per the age bracket.

ix. Direct Respondent No.1 to 5 to Issue Guidelines and Regulations by taking inspiration from the Legislations passed by the other countries.

x. Pass order(s) as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the present case

2. During the course of hearing, Mr. Arvind Datar, learned senior counsel appearing for META has drawn our attention to an order passed by the Supreme Court in a writ petition being W.P. (C) No. 8128/2025; Zep Foundation v. Union of India & Ors., wherein one of the issues raised in that petition is similar to the one, which has been raised in this petition.

3. We find that the Supreme Court has disposed of writ petition by stating that the writ petitioner therein shall be at liberty to make a representation to Union of India, respondent(s) herein. The direction of the Court was also to the UOI to dispose of the representation within eight weeks.

4. On a specific query to Ms. Nidhi Raman representing Union of India/ respondent whether any representation made has been disposed of, she seeks ten days time to take instructions.

5. At her request, renotify on 20.08.2026.