Central Government revises worldwide child online safety measures as it evaluates India's digital policy framework

The Central Government has stated that it is examining international practices related to child online safety while assessing India's existing digital policy framework. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is reviewing global regulatory models alongside domestic laws to strengthen the country's digital ecosystem.

According to the minister, policymakers are studying measures adopted in different countries while considering India's constitutional principles, legal framework, technological environment, privacy standards, user protection, innovation, and digital inclusion. He emphasized that the government follows a consultative approach by engaging relevant stakeholders before introducing policy changes to address emerging cyber challenges.

Vaishnaw highlighted that the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, forms the foundation of India's digital governance. These regulations require intermediaries to exercise due diligence, prevent the circulation of content harmful to children, and report offences covered under laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, to the appropriate authorities.

The minister further noted that recent amendments to the IT Rules mandate social media platforms and intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours after receiving directions from a competent court or authorized government agency.

He also referred to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which strengthens children's online privacy by making parental consent mandatory before processing a child's personal data. The legislation also prohibits practices such as behavioural tracking, monitoring, and targeted advertising aimed at minors.

In addition, the government has expanded digital awareness initiatives through workshops, educational materials, and cyber safety campaigns. CERT-In regularly releases cybersecurity advisories, while the Ministry of Education, CBSE, and NCERT promote responsible digital behaviour through dedicated guidelines and curriculum. These efforts gained added significance following recent concerns over alleged child exploitation-related content on Instagram, prompting the government to seek an explanation from Meta.