High Court judge remarks for social media usage, says Centre should consider setting an age limit

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• Sep 19, 2023 | Poonam Nath

While hearing X (previously Twitter's) appeal against the denial of its challenge to the Centre's blocking order...

Digital Desk: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday suggested that the central government explore establishing an age limit on the usage of social media throughout the country. In an oral remark, the court stated that persons must be "at least 21" to utilise social media.

A two-judge bench heard X firm's (previously Twitter's) appeal against the dismissal of its challenge to the Centre's order to restrict specific social media accounts and posts. Previously, the court dismissed the social media company's petition against the central government and levied a Rs 50 lakh punishment for failure to comply with directions.

The court stated that the "best option" would be to outright ban social media because "a lot of good will come" from it. Today's school-age children are completely addicted to it (social media). I believe there should be an age limit, similar to Excise rules," it continued.

The issue arose when the national government's counsel informed the court that the law now demands users to have Aadhaar and other documentation to access specific online games. The court then inquired as to why such identification was not applied to social media platforms as well.

The bench noted near the end of the hearing that setting an age limit on social media usage might be beneficial.