Delhi High Court Petition Targets Minor Access to Addictive Social Media Features
A public interest litigation urges the Indian government to regulate social media access for minors under 16. The plea highlights the lack of robust age-verification and the physical risks of addictive algorithms.
Legal Challenge to Tech Algorithms and Age Verification
Legal proceedings have begun before the Delhi High Court to address the digital safety of Indian minors. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kirti Dua and a medical professional demands that the Central Government establish strict guidelines and new legislation to govern social media usage. The petition specifically seeks a total ban for children under 13 and tighter content oversight for those between 13 and 16 years old.
Senior advocate Pinky Anand and advocate Anshul Gupta presented the case, arguing that current age-gate mechanisms remain ineffective. Tech-literate minors frequently bypass existing restrictions using burner email accounts, falsified birth dates, and spoofed identification. The filing names several major tech entities, including Meta, Alphabet, Telegram, Snap, and X, requesting they implement foolproof age-verification systems to uphold child safety policies.
The Psychology of Design and Policy Gaps
The core of the petition focuses on the specific design elements social media platforms employ to maximize user retention. The litigants argue that features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and algorithmic recommendation feeds are inherently addictive. They contend these tools exploit developing minds by prioritizing profit-driven engagement over the emotional and physical health of young users.
The plea cites several key warnings and data points:
- The Economic Survey 2025-26 identified a worrying surge in digital addiction among the nation's youth.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development issued press releases regarding cybercrime and cyberbullying on December 12, 2025, and March 11, 2026.
- Despite these government statements, the petition claims no functional machinery exists to operationalize these safety standards.
Judicial Delays and Next Steps
Initially scheduled for July 29, 2026, the hearing faced an immediate delay. The case appeared before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia; however, Justice Karia recused himself from the proceedings. Consequently, the High Court has rescheduled the matter for a hearing before a different bench on August 5, 2026.
Source: The Hindu — National
