New Delhi. The Supreme Court has said that using the Internet is a fundamental right of every person and this also includes children. Children cannot be deprived of using the internet. The Supreme Court made this important comment during the hearing on the petition demanding a ban on children using the Internet. The Supreme Court said that the protection of children and their freedom are not against each other. Along with this, the court directed that without removing children from the Internet, the system of keeping them safe from online threats will have to be improved.
Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran's bench accepted that there are many risks regarding children's internet use but this is the failure of the online platform. Steps should be taken regarding this. For this, it would not be appropriate to keep children away from internet access. The protection of children should be strengthened by reducing the risks they face online. The bench said that under Articles 21 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, use of the Internet is also a fundamental right and it is also available to children. Children have the right to both security and freedom.
The top court also said that in today's time the Internet is a major medium for receiving and sharing ideas, creative expression and information. For many children, especially those living in remote areas, the Internet can be the only means of learning new things and getting information related to the country, the world and studies. In such a situation, if internet use is banned for children, it would be like limiting their opportunities to learn and learn. The bench suggested that safety measures should be taken regarding children's internet use and for this, a separate 'child mode' should be introduced on social media platforms.