Rights Body Flags Coaching Centre's Alleged Use Of Minors For Social Media
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The NHRC has issued notices to Meta, MeitY, and Etah officials following allegations that minor children were exploited in scripted, politically charged social media videos. The commission is investigating potential violations of child dignity, privacy, and consent linked to a coaching center in Uttar Pradesh.
NHRC Investigates Alleged Exploitation of Minors in Social Media Content
The Commission's Intervention
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has officially taken cognizance of a serious complaint regarding the exploitation of minors in Uttar Pradesh. On September 28, 2026, a bench presided over by member Priyank Kanoongo issued formal notices to Meta India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the district administration of Etah. The move follows allegations that children were being used as props in scripted, objectionable, and politically sensitive social media content.
Nature of the Allegations
The complaint, filed by the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation, suggests that a coaching center in the Etah district has been facilitating the production of videos featuring minors. These children, some of whom are reportedly from socially and economically vulnerable backgrounds, were allegedly tutored to deliver abusive and derogatory political rhetoric. The NHRC has specifically raised concerns regarding the violation of these children's dignity, privacy, and their psychological well-being, questioning whether informed parental consent was ever obtained.
Accountability and Regulatory Oversight
The issuance of notices to both the state administration and a global tech giant like Meta highlights the multi-layered nature of this investigation. By involving the Etah Senior Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate, the NHRC is demanding a localized inquiry into the coaching center's operations. Simultaneously, the notice to Meta challenges the platform’s role in hosting and potentially monetizing content that utilizes vulnerable minors for political ends, placing the onus on the company to enforce its safety and child protection guidelines.
Broader Implications for Child Safety
This case underscores the growing tension between the democratization of digital content creation and the safeguarding of children in the age of social media. When coaching centers or educational entities pivot toward content creation that relies on sensationalism and political polarization, the line between extracurricular activity and exploitation becomes dangerously blurred. The NHRC’s intervention serves as a warning that the digital footprint of a child is a matter of human rights that cannot be ignored for the sake of engagement metrics or political influence.
Future Trends and Judicial Expectations
The NHRC has mandated that the relevant authorities submit Action Taken Reports within a two-week window. This aggressive timeline suggests that the Commission views the matter with extreme urgency. Moving forward, this case is likely to set a precedent for how Indian regulators approach the intersection of social media algorithms and the protection of minors. If the allegations are substantiated, it may force a significant policy shift regarding the monitoring of 'influencer' content involving children and the legal liability of platforms that host such material.
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