Madurai, December 9, 2025: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday heard a public interest petition that raised concerns about children gaining easy access to pornographic material online. The atmosphere in the courtroom felt tense yet purposeful, as the bench Justice Dr. Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan repeatedly highlighted the seriousness of the issue and the lack of strong preventive mechanisms.
The plea sought enforcement of “Parental Window” controls by Internet Service Providers, something the petitioner argued was long overdue.
Background of the Petition
Petitioner S. Vijayakumar filed the case under Article 226, essentially asking the court to compel national and state child rights commissions to act under Sections 13 and 14 of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. He wanted telecom and ISP companies to provide parental-control software to help prevent children from stumbling into explicit content online.
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During the hearing, the respondents ranging from Union ministries to top telecom CEOs submitted counter affidavits, but the judges were evidently not satisfied. As the bench noted, the responses “were not impressive to convince this Court” that the authorities were doing enough.
Court’s Observations
The judges stressed that awareness campaigns have been too minimal, almost skeletal, especially when children are increasingly exposed to online risks.
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“The bench observed, ‘Commission has a statutory duty to spread child rights literacy… the present efforts are not adequate.’”
They also discussed international practices. The petitioner pointed to Australia’s recent law prohibiting internet access for children below 16, suggesting India must consider similar legislative control. The bench didn’t shut the idea down; instead, it nudged the Union to “explore possibility” of new legislation.
ISPs reminded the court they block flagged content under IT Rules 2021, but the bench pushed further, saying protections must extend to the home level. In the judges’ words, parental control apps on devices are “compulsorily” required to restrict children’s access.
Decision
The petition was disposed of without costs, but not without direction. The court urged authorities to speed up awareness campaigns, draw a practical action plan, and actively implement it “in letter and spirit.” Connected petitions were also closed.
Case Title: S. Vijayakumar vs Union of India & Others