India, Oct. 17 -- The right to access and use the internet is a fundamental right of every individual, including children irrespective of their age, the Supreme Court has held, cautioning that blanket restrictions on children's internet access in the name of safety risk undermining their freedom, privacy and ability to seek help when they encounter online abuse.

"The safety of our children and their freedom are not at odds with each other. Our children are entitled to both," a bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Chandran said in an order dated October 15, released now, holding that the right to access and use the internet flows from Article 21, read with the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Cons...