Government says child safety is “non-negotiable” and warns social media platforms to proactively detect and remove harmful content.
NEW DELHI (Economy India): Meta has agreed to report matters involving child sexual abuse and other child safety concerns to appropriate law enforcement agencies, government sources said on Tuesday, as the Centre stepped up its focus on protecting minors on social media platforms.
The development comes amid growing government scrutiny of online platforms and their responsibility to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content and activities.
Government sources stressed that the online safety of children is a “fundamental principle” for every social media platform operating in India and is “non-negotiable.”
Government Warns Social Media Platforms
The government has made it clear that platforms failing to take proactive measures to protect children online could face action, according to the sources.
The Centre’s position places greater responsibility on social media companies to identify potential threats to minors and take timely action rather than relying solely on complaints from users or authorities.
The government is also engaging with other major online platforms to strengthen measures for identifying and removing content linked to child sexual abuse and other harmful activities.
Focus on Proactive Detection and Removal
According to government sources, discussions with online platforms are aimed at ensuring that companies proactively identify and remove harmful content.
The approach is intended to strengthen cooperation between technology platforms and law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases where online activity may pose a serious threat to children’s safety.
The government’s stance signals that platforms operating in India will be expected to maintain robust safeguards for minors and respond promptly when child safety risks are detected.
Meta’s Commitment
Meta, which operates platforms including Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to report child safety-related matters to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, the sources said.
Such reporting could strengthen the flow of information between online platforms and investigative agencies in cases involving suspected child sexual abuse or other serious threats to minors.
The government is continuing discussions with other online platforms as part of its broader effort to make the digital environment safer for children.
Child Safety Remains a Key Government Priority
The Centre’s latest position underscores the increasing importance being attached to children’s safety as social media and digital platforms become more deeply integrated into everyday life.
With the government describing child safety as non-negotiable, online platforms are likely to face increased expectations to strengthen safeguards, detect harmful activity proactively and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
Source: Government Sources | PTI | Economy India
