Social media safeguards needed to protect school students: cyber expert
Jaipur: The Supreme Court’s move to seek the Centre’s response on safeguards for minors on social media has brought the focus back on a growing concern for schools — how to protect students from the risks of the online world.
Cyber crime expert Mukesh Choudhary said children are getting access to social media at an increasingly young age, often without fully understanding the risks involved. “For school students, social media is not just about screen time. They can be exposed to cyberbullying, fake accounts, online grooming, inappropriate content and even financial fraud. There have to be stronger safeguards to protect them,” he said.
The PIL before the Supreme Court has sought restrictions on minors independently creating and maintaining social media accounts. It has also flagged concerns over children’s personal data, behavioural tracking, targeted advertising and exposure to harmful content.
Choudhary said schools also have an important role to play. “We cannot expect parents alone to monitor everything a child does online. Schools should teach students how to protect their personal information, identify suspicious behaviour and report cybercrime. Digital safety needs to be treated as seriously as physical safety,” he said.
The issue has also raised questions about age verification, parental consent and the responsibility of social media platforms in protecting children. For schools, experts say the debate is a reminder that digital safety needs to become part of a student’s everyday education, not something discussed only after a child becomes a victim.
