Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on plea to curb child sexual content on online platforms

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Central government and others on a plea seeking safeguards to protect minors from child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) on digital and social media platforms [Just Rights for Children Alliance v. Union of India and Anr].

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana emphasised the urgent necessity of architectural digital barriers for young users, orally remarking that “firewalls are very necessary for children” in an era of ubiquitous digital exposure.

The plea contends that despite strict penal provisions prohibiting the dissemination and storage of CSEAM, internet platforms have failed to deploy automated content-filtering tools and age-verification mechanisms.

Consequently, algorithmic recommendation engines continue to expose young users to sexually abusive content, while platforms routinely bypass direct reporting loops with local law enforcement.

During the proceedings, the Bench noted the severe psychological hazards posed to minors by unfiltered internet access, observing that protecting children in digital spaces requires coordinated, proactive interventions by technology firms and enforcement agencies.

The Court was also apprised of the precedent laid down in Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish (2024), where the apex court held that intermediaries cannot claim statutory safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act if they fail to discharge mandatory reporting duties under Sections 19 and 20 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

It thus sought responses from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and regulatory authorities on algorithmic audits and current filtering protocols.

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