New Life Foundation welcomes SC move for statutory safeguards for minors on social media
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, September 30 2026: New Life Foundation, has welcomed the Supreme Court's direction asking the Centre to examine the possibility of putting into a statutory framework the requirement for social media platforms and other digital intermediaries to comply with Indian laws governing minors, including the 18-year age threshold for independently entering into contracts with such platforms.

The organisation said the development could have a far-reaching impact on the protection of children online, particularly at a time when children are spending increasing amounts of time on social media and are exposed to risks such as online sexual exploitation, grooming, trafficking, sextortion and cyberbullying, said a press release by the secretary of New Life Foundation.

Notably New Life Foundation is a partner of Just Rights for Children (JRC), which had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking stronger safeguards for children using digital platforms.

Dr L Pishak Singh, Secretary of New Life Foundation said the apex court's observation is an important step towards making digital platforms accountable under Indian law.

The petition, filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance, had raised concerns over minors being allowed to independently create and maintain accounts on digital platforms despite such agreements being void under existing law.

The Centre, in response, told the Court that the Government would examine the issue.

Just Rights for Children is the country's largest network of NGOs across 782 districts that work with communities, governments and law-enforcement agencies to identify and prevent threats to children, including those emerging in the digital space, added the press release.

It is worth mentioning that New Life Foundation Manipur is working at the grassroots level for the protection of children in Bishnupur, Chandel, Jiribam, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Senapati, Noney, Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Imphal West & East districts.

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