New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- The Supreme Court on Monday said that social media intermediaries allowing minors to open accounts must conform to the law of the land, telling the Centre to remedy the situation within its statutory framework; otherwise, a direction from the court would follow. A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the non-profit organisation Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA). The petition underlined the need for safeguards to be put in place to ensure minors are not allowed to open and operate accounts on Twitter, Instagram, etc. "How can these platforms allow 12 to 13 year olds to have accounts? It is contrary to the law of the land," said the bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. The court was referring to the Indian Contract Act, which declares a minor's consent for an agreement to be "void" from the time such an agreement comes into existence. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre, informed the court that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 does provide for some safeguards. He said, "Something will have to be done. If a person is less than 18 years old, consent can be given by parents as there are educational apps that require the user's consent." The bench told the Centre, "It is our request to the government of India. You pass some directions under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 so that these intermediaries fashion their software in conformity with Indian laws." Allowing time for the Centre to consider addressing the issue within the necessary statutory framework, the court observed,...