Protecting the Young: Legal Protection of Children’s Data under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

In the present scenario Children have an active digital participation from a tender age, often before they even understand the consequences of their data being collected, stored, or shared. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023 is a major step forward for India’s privacy laws. This article examines the legal protection guaranteed for children under the DPDP Act, with a focus on guardian consent, data fiduciary obligations, and the challenges of enforcing digital age restrictions. It analytically assesses the alignment of India’s framework with global standards and considers how effectively it balances the evolving rights of children with technological realities.