dJital era has brought a revolutionary change in the life of children. The way young children interact and interact with each other has changed, with social media contributing a great deal, however, this change has also brought with it several major threats that call for immediate action. The draft rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act-2023 make it mandatory for minors to consult their parents/guardians before opening social media accounts. This is a commendable step taken to protect children. Such regulations are already in place globally. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) states that parental consent is required for children under the age of 16; The US Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) imposes stricter rules for users under the age of 13. These steps protect minors from cyberbullying, exploitation and invasion of privacy. These issues are also addressed in India’s draft regulations.
There is a need to implement this rule quickly in view of several alarming statistics: 58 percent of young children internationally are using platforms like Tik Tok daily where they are exposed to a lot of harmful content. In the year 2023, a man from Delhi misused Snapchat to blackmail over 700 women, revealing the extent to which unbridled digital platforms can wreak havoc. Similarly, a British girl who committed suicide after being bullied on Instagram reveals the psychological effects of social media use. There were many other such incidents.
India’s proposed rules hold social media companies accountable for verifying parental consent for which robust systems will be implemented. Parents will be able to show their children the right way to communicate online. Improvements in these regulations will require steps like AI-based age verification, digital awareness workshops and a transparent grievance redressal framework. Structural reform will have to be regularly audited, be informed by stakeholders and follow global standards. By adopting these rules, India is participating in global efforts to develop a safe online environment for children. In a world where it is unimaginable to live without digital connectivity, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the youngest users is not only a responsibility but also a moral imperative. Mutual support of parents, teachers and social media platforms will prove crucial for concrete change.
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