In a significant move aimed at ensuring safer internet usage, the Indian government has proposed a draft rule requiring children below 18 to obtain parental consent before accessing social media platforms. This proposal is part of a broader effort to regulate digital spaces, prioritize child safety, and encourage responsible online behavior. The draft rule is part of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025.
Public feedback on these draft rules is invited on mygov.in until February 18, 2025, after which the government will consider the inputs before finalizing the regulations.
The Proposed Rule
The draft regulation requires minors under 18 to obtain explicit parental consent to create and operate accounts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Social media companies would be tasked with implementing verification mechanisms to ensure compliance.
This proposal aligns with global trends to protect children online and echoes similar initiatives like the US’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, it raises concerns about its enforceability and broader societal impact.
The Reason Behind the Rule
The rise in social media usage among children has brought both opportunities and challenges. While platforms provide access to information and foster creativity, they also expose young users to risks such as cyberbullying, misinformation, online predators, and mental health issues stemming from social media pressures.
The government’s draft rule aims to:
1. Protect children from harmful online content.
2. Encourage parental involvement in children’s digital lives.
3. Hold social media platforms accountable for the safety of underage users.
What Role Entails Under this draft regulation?
Children under 18 must seek parental approval to open social media accounts.
Platforms may need to introduce stricter verification mechanisms, such as requiring parental consent forms or linking accounts to guardians.
This rule aligns with global discussions on age-appropriate online engagement and resembles measures like the US’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Potential Benefits
1. Increased Online Safety: Parents monitoring their child’s social media usage can reduce exposure to harmful content.
2. Awareness Among Parents: It fosters conversations about responsible online behavior and digital literacy at home.
3. Corporate Accountability: Platforms may be compelled to design safer, child-friendly environments.
Challenges to Implementation
1. Enforcement Issues: Determining how platforms will verify parental consent remains unclear. Fake consent or IDs may bypass such rules.
2. Privacy Concerns: Linking accounts to parental data raises questions about privacy and misuse of information.
3. Verification Mechanisms: Ensuring genuine parental consent poses a logistical challenge. Social media platforms would need robust verification systems, which could be circumvented through fake identities or unverified accounts.
4. Compliance by Tech Companies: The onus on platforms to enforce this rule could lead to increased operational costs and complexities, especially for smaller companies.
5. Global vs. Local Standards: As global platforms cater to diverse legal frameworks, aligning their policies with India’s specific regulations could lead to inconsistencies.
6. Access Inequality: This may restrict access to useful resources for children in less connected households.
Balancing Safety and Freedom
Experts suggest that the key lies in finding a balance between safeguarding children and respecting their right to digital freedom. Social media is not just a source of entertainment; it’s a platform for education, collaboration, and expression. Educational campaigns on responsible online behavior, stricter moderation of harmful content, and the introduction of child-friendly features on platforms could be complementary measures to this regulation. The key is to strike a balance—providing safeguards without over-regulating.
What Should Parents Do?
If the rule comes into effect, here’s how parents can adapt:
1. Understand Platforms: Familiarize yourself with the apps your child uses.
2. Set Boundaries: Create a healthy routine for social media usage.
3. Promote Digital Literacy: Teach children to recognize online risks and act responsibly.
The Road Ahead
The draft rule is open to public consultation and is likely to undergo revisions before implementation. Policymakers must address concerns raised by parents, child rights organizations, and tech companies to ensure the rule is effective and equitable.
As India takes steps toward creating a safer digital environment for children, the regulation highlights the importance of collective responsibility in shaping a secure and inclusive internet for the next generation.
Real Use of Social Media
The real use of social media is to share spiritual knowledge, spread awareness about the true purpose of human life, and guide people towards devotion to God. The true spiritual leader Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj emphasizes using social media as a platform to promote truth, unity, and moral values, rather than for entertainment or spreading negativity.
By utilizing social media responsibly, individuals can contribute to societal betterment and help others attain spiritual enlightenment. To know more about true spiritual knowledge, you must visit Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s YouTube channel.
FAQs about Parents consent is needed by children to use social media
1. What is the DPDP Act, 2023?
The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 is an Indian law that regulates the processing of personal data in digital form to safeguard individuals’ privacy, ensure responsible data handling, and provide rights to data principals while imposing obligations on data fiduciaries.
2. What is the aim of the government in drafting this rule?
Protect children from harmful online content, encourage parental involvement in children’s digital lives, and hold social media platforms accountable for the safety of underage users.
3. What does this rule entail?
Children under 18 must seek parental approval to open social media accounts and platforms may need to introduce stricter verification mechanisms, such as requiring parental consent forms or linking accounts to guardians.
4. If the rule comes into effect, how can parents adapt?
Understand Platforms, Set Boundaries, and Promote Digital Literacy.
5. What are the potential benefits of this rule?
Increased Online Safety, Awareness Among Parents, and Corporate Accountability.
