Srinagar Child Welfare Committee Summons News Portal Over Viral Schoolchildren Interview; Orders Immediate Removal of Videos and Cyber Investigation

According to an official notice issued by CWC Chairperson Dr. Khair-ul-Nisa, the committee has taken cognizance of allegations that representatives of a news portal recorded an interview of a schoolchild without obtaining informed consent from the child’s parents or legal guardians and without the permission of the school administration.

Exercising powers under the Juvenile Justice framework, the committee has directed the editor or an authorized representative of the concerned news portal to appear before the CWC office in Srinagar on July 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The directive further requires the portal to produce the reporter and cameraman involved in the recording, along with all related material including raw footage, published or broadcast content, written explanations, consent documentation, and any other relevant records.

The committee has warned that failure to comply with these directives will result in action in accordance with the law.

In a separate directive, the CWC noted that multiple videos of schoolchildren speaking on public issues outside school premises are being widely circulated across social media platforms. One such video reportedly shows children expressing opinions on matters related to the Education Minister.

The committee has described the recording and dissemination of such content without informed consent and institutional approval as a serious violation of children’s privacy, safety, dignity, and best interests. It further warned that continued circulation of such material exposes minors to public scrutiny, harassment, identity misuse, and other potential risks.

The CWC has instructed the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar to immediately identify all social media accounts, URLs, and digital platforms hosting the videos and to take swift action to remove or block the content through appropriate legal and technical mechanisms.

Authorities have also been directed to investigate possible violations of laws related to child protection and digital conduct, with instructions to submit a compliance report to the committee within 48 hours of receiving the order.

The incident underscores growing concerns over the unregulated digital circulation of minors’ content and the legal obligations of media and online platforms to safeguard child rights in public discourse.