NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to examine whether social media platforms should be legally required to comply with Indian laws protecting minors, including the provision that persons below 18 cannot independently enter into platform contracts.

The observation came during the hearing of a plea filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance. Senior Advocate H.S. Phoolka submitted that contracts entered into by minors are already void under existing law and argued for legally enforceable obligations on online intermediaries.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi said such safeguards should not remain merely as guidelines and asked the Centre to consider giving them a statutory basis under the intermediary rules.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the government would examine the issue and take necessary steps.