14-February-2025-Editorial

ONLINE CHILD ABUSE

Online child abuse has become a growing concern globally, as highlighted by a recent study published in The Lancet. The study, which analyzed 123 reports from different regions, emphasizes the increasing risks children face in digital spaces. With the rapid expansion of internet usage, particularly among young users, online exploitation has become more prevalent.

Key Findings of the Study

• Prevalence of Online Abuse: Around 8.3% (1 in 12) of children worldwide have suffered online sexual abuse in the past decade.
• Types of Online Exploitation:

• Sexual Solicitation: About 12.5% of children have encountered inappropriate sexual conversations or inquiries.
• Non-Consensual Image Sharing: Around 12.6% have had their images shared without permission.
• Online Sexual Exploitation: Nearly 4.7% of children have faced explicit coercion or exploitation.
• Sexual Extortion: About 3.5% have been blackmailed into sharing explicit material.

• Gender Dynamics:

• Unlike earlier assumptions, the abuse rate is similar for both boys and girls.
• This shift suggests that changing digital behaviors have increased risks for boys.

• Mental Health Impact:

• Victims of online abuse often suffer from emotional distress, lower life expectancy, and reduced career opportunities.

Causes of Rising Online Child Abuse

Wider Internet Access

• Children now make up one-third of global internet users.
• Unsupervised social media and gaming platforms expose them to potential risks.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

• Increased screen time during lockdowns led to a surge in abuse cases.
• Sextortion cases tripled since March 2020 as predators exploited the situation.

Technological Advancements

• AI and digital platforms enable easier production and sharing of exploitative content.
• AI-generated content makes detecting abusive material more challenging.

Lack of Digital Literacy

• Many children and parents are unaware of online safety measures.
• In India, only 38% of households have digital literacy, increasing vulnerabilities.

Weak Monitoring & Enforcement

• Law enforcement and tech companies struggle to keep up with evolving online abuse tactics.
• Insufficient regulations leave loopholes that perpetrators exploit.

India’s Efforts to Address Online Child Abuse

Legal and Policy Measures

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: Provides strict legal action against child sexual abuse, including online cases.
• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: Contains provisions to combat cybercrimes, including child exploitation.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Focuses on child protection, including online threats.

Institutional Initiatives

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Allows the public to report online child abuse incidents.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Strengthens law enforcement efforts against cybercrimes targeting children.

Measures to Prevent Online Child Abuse

Strengthening Laws and Enforcement

• Stricter Legal Frameworks: Implement harsher punishments and fast-track court proceedings for offenders.
• International Collaboration: Partner with global agencies like INTERPOL and the FBI to dismantle international abuse networks.
• Better Reporting Mechanisms: Encourage social media platforms to implement real-time abuse detection systems. Develop confidential helplines for victims to report abuse easily.

Public Awareness and Digital Education

• Educational Campaigns: Train children, parents, and teachers on online safety.
• Parental Control and AI-Based Filters: Encourage safer browsing tools like “safe search” filters. Promote parental controls for monitoring children’s online activities.

Technology and Industry Collaboration

• Stricter Content Moderation: Tech companies should adopt better age-verification processes.
• AI-Based Detection Tools: Develop AI solutions to monitor and block abusive content in real time.
• Ethical AI Practices: Prevent AI-generated exploitative content from spreading through the dark web.

Encouraging Further Research

• Expanding Data Collection: Conduct more research, particularly in underrepresented regions, to gain better insights.
• Policy Innovation: Use research findings to develop stronger policies tailored to emerging threats.

Conclusion

The increasing cases of online child abuse highlight the urgent need for stronger laws, better enforcement, and greater awareness. While India has taken steps to tackle this issue through legal measures and technological advancements, more efforts are required. Governments, tech companies, and society must work together to ensure a safer digital space for children. Investing in digital literacy, AI-powered safety tools, and international cooperation can help mitigate these risks effectively.