The Supreme Court on November 4 sought responses from the Central Government and Meta Platforms on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking regulation of social media algorithms and features allegedly designed to addict children. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana issued notice in Sreerupa Chowdhury v. Union of India & Ors.

The petition alleges that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp deploy compulsive-use features, including infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, push notifications and variable reward systems, which may contribute to addiction, cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression and self-harm ideation among adolescents.

The plea also raises concerns about inadequate age-verification mechanisms that allegedly allow children under 13 to access these platforms. It further alleges that children are exposed to online grooming and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), raising concerns under the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The petitioner contends that Meta has introduced stronger safety-by-design safeguards in certain Western jurisdictions but has failed to implement similar protections in India. The plea seeks directions for a comprehensive regulatory framework, including audits of algorithmic systems, effective age verification, safeguards against compulsive use and protection from harmful online content.

The petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra, along with a team of advocates. The Supreme Court had issued notice last month on a separate petition seeking restrictions on children's access to social media.