Children's Digital Rights Must Have Enforceable Safeguards Against Addiction: VHRP Chief
VHRP Mahila President Yamuna Pathak calls for enforceable safeguards against digital addiction following SC ruling on children's internet rights.
In the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling declaring internet access a fundamental right for children, the debate over digital safety has intensified. Yamuna Pathak, the President of Vishva Hindu Raksha Parishad (VHRP) Mahila, has asserted that children's digital rights must be accompanied by enforceable safeguards to protect minors from addiction and exploitation.
The Danger of Digital Addiction
Speaking to ANI, Yamuna Pathak highlighted the severe impact that unregulated screen time and gaming can have on a child's well-being. She warned that when gaming begins to dominate a child's sleep patterns, academic performance, and personal relationships, it transcends mere entertainment and becomes a critical mental health crisis.
Pathak emphasized that the developmental needs of children require expert scrutiny, suggesting that child psychologists and educationists should play a pivotal role in shaping the safeguards that govern digital access.
"Children's digital rights must carry enforceable safeguards against addiction and exploitation... No platform profits should come before kids' healthy development," Pathak stated.
Balancing Freedom and Protection
The VHRP Mahila chief argued that constitutional freedoms and child protection are not mutually exclusive but must advance together. She advocated for a framework consisting of:
- Proportionate age restrictions.
- Mandatory safety controls.
- Strict platform accountability.
Pathak stressed that the priority for India's children should remain education, strong family bonds, and physical outdoor play, rather than the profit motives of tech platforms.
The Supreme Court's Stance
This call for stricter safeguards comes after the Supreme Court of India ruled that internet access is a fundamental right, extending this protection to children. The apex court rejected the idea of blanket age-based bans, noting that such measures often fail to keep children offline and may instead push them toward greater, unmonitored risks.
Instead of total bans, the court emphasized the necessity of stricter parental controls and mandated the implementation of "child mode" controls on social media platforms.
Legal Battle Over Social Media Access
The ongoing discussion is further fueled by a plea filed by the Indore-based Emerald Heights International School and its Director, Siddharth Singh. The petition argues that voluntary safeguards and parental controls are insufficient to combat the systemic risks of the digital world.
Key Concerns Raised in the Petition:
- Online Harms: Issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, and sexual exploitation.
- Mental Health: Rising cases of depression, anxiety, body-image issues, and sleep disruption.
- Design Risks: The addictive nature of platform designs and the misuse of children's personal data.
The petitioners contend that the government's failure to implement adequate protections is a violation of children's fundamental rights to equality, life, personal liberty, and education.
Responding to this, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has issued a notice to the Centre, seeking its response on the need for a regulatory framework to restrict children's access to social media. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 7.