Ensuring Social Media Safety For Minors Faces Key Challenges, Says Cyberlaw Expert Karnnika Seth

There are certain implementation challenges we are trying to look at and find a way on how we can ensure the safety of children in the social media space as well, according to Karnnika A Seth, Cyberlaw expert & Founder, Seth Associates.

The draft of Digital Personal Data Protection rules, released by the central government on Jan. 3, stated that children under the age of 18 will now require parental consent to create social media accounts.

The draft has drawn attention from experts concerned about children’s safety in the digital world. The rules aim to protect minors by ensuring that parents validate their child's identity before their data is processed.

"There has to be parental consent, and the provision is good in theory. But what happens when a child conceals their true age? How do we address children’s vulnerabilities on the web in such cases?" Seth questioned.

She emphasised that penalising children for providing incorrect information about their age could create ethical dilemmas. "If a child provides wrong details and flouts the law, how do we manage that scenario?"

Seth stressed the importance of regulating children’s access to digital platforms while retaining the internet's benefits for education and research. She suggested measures such as screen-time monitoring, content filters, and parental controls to mitigate risks.

The cyberlaw expert highlighted the risks posed by fake profiles used for cyberbullying, child pornography, and grooming. She explained how the draft rules could curb such activities.

"For instance, criminals impersonating minors to exploit children would find it difficult to bypass the law under these provisions," she said. "If this law, as it is, gets passed, then they will need to have a consent, in case they need to project themselves as minors," Seth said.

Seth highlighted that in general, when it comes to the web and the interface to the web, it is important to have it as a tool—for research, education, and more. "However, there has to be a regulation, while we can put in filters and monitor the screen time and load other apps so that the kids do not have access to adult content or anything that is harmful to minors," she said.

On the current status of the DPDP act, Seth said that right now the draft is open for public consultation. "I think the policymakers are really looking at what the flip side of the same is and what the other perspectives are," she said.

"However, self-regulation also becomes crucial. Parents and children need to take shared responsibility for safety and well-being," Seth said. "We have to create a balance and see how we can mitigate or reduce to the bare minimum for safety concerns of the children," she said.