New Delhi: The Supreme Court has called for stronger technological and regulatory measures to detect and remove child sexual exploitation and abuse material from the internet. A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Chandran, directed the creation of a comprehensive national database to identify and remove such content across social media platforms. The Court expressed concern over the continued circulation of this material despite its 2024 directions.
Highlighting that technological safeguards alone are insufficient, the bench emphasised the need to equip children with awareness and safe internet practices. It called for digital safety and age-appropriate education to be included in the core curriculum. This content will be developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and State Councils in consultation with child psychologists, educators, and parenting experts.
The Union Government has been directed through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Law and Justice to frame necessary guidelines, standard operating procedures, and IT rule amendments. The government must file an affidavit detailing its implementation progress by the next hearing on December 10, 2026.
[AIR news]