New Delhi: The Supreme Magistrate has made important comments regarding children's internet use and online safety. The magistrate said that the right to wangle and use the Internet is linked to the fundamental rights under Article 21 and Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Children moreover cannot be completely deprived of these rights, regardless of their age. Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran's seat made it well-spoken that the protection of children and their liberty are not in mismatch with each other. The magistrate stressed constructive measures rather than restrictions to protect children in the online world.
What did the magistrate say on children's internet use?
According to the report of Live Law, the seat said that keeping children completely yonder from the internet is not an towardly solution. Today the Internet has wilt an important medium for education, obtaining information, liaison and creative expression. In such a situation, depriving children of this completely may stupefy their opportunities to learn and express their ideas. According to the court, while protecting the rights of children, their self-rule and minutiae needs moreover have to be kept in mind.
Is it necessary to completely ban social media?
The magistrate undisputed that children are exposed to many risks on the internet and social media. Content related to online sexual exploitation and vituperate is a serious rencontre to the safety of children. However, the seat indicated that to deal with these threats, it is necessary to strengthen security arrangements on social media platforms instead of completely blocking children's access. According to the report, the magistrate stressed on options like child mode and making mechanisms to identify and remove harmful content effective.
Why is the internet important for children?
The seat described the Internet as an important medium of ideas, information and creative expression. According to the court, for many children living in remote areas, the Internet is an important ways of obtaining education and information. Digital platforms can moreover be useful for children with special needs, as they can connect with people facing similar situations. Therefore, the online security system should be such that it takes superintendency of both the rights and needs of children.
Which old decisions did the Supreme Magistrate refer to?
The seat referred to the 2020 specimen Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India. In this decision, it was said that self-rule of expression and right to do merchantry through the internet should be protected under the relevant provisions of the Constitution. The magistrate moreover cited the 2025 Pragya Prasun case, in which digital wangle was linked to fundamental rights under Article 21.
