What needs to change after SC ruling on children’s right to access Internet

Group of kids busy using mobile phone at school corridor - concept of social media, smartphone technology and gaming addiction. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The Supreme Court recently held that children have a fundamental right to access and use the Internet, marking an important moment in India’s relationship with its youngest digital citizens. The Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vinod K.Chandran held that this right flows from Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) read with Article 19(1)(a) (right to freedom of speech and expression) of the Constitution, and that children, irrespective of age, enjoy it too.Equally significant is what the judgment says about safety. The Court rejects the idea that protecting children and preserving their freedom are competing objectives: children are entitled to both. It rejects blanket bans and restrictions and instead argues for “intelligent restraints”. Published - October 30, 2026 08:30 am IST