According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there has been an increase of over 400 per cent in cybercrime cases against children in 2020 as compared to 2019, most of which was the publication of material depicting children in sexually explicit acts. of or relating to broadcasting. ) figures.
The top five states reporting cyber crimes against children are: Uttar Pradesh (170), Karnataka (144), Maharashtra (137), Kerala (107) and Odisha (71), the NCRB data said.
Of the 842 cases of online crimes, 738 were about publishing or disseminating material that explicitly depicted children in a sexual act.
As the NCRB 2020 data shows, there has been a sharp increase (over 400 per cent) in cyber crimes committed against children (registered under the Information Technology Act) as compared to the previous year.
In 2019, 164 cases of cyber crimes against children were registered, while 117 cases of cyber crimes against children were registered in 2018 and 79 such cases were registered in 2017.
Even though the number of cyber crime cases against children is low in 2020, it is worrying to increase from 2019 onwards.
Pooja Marwah, CEO of Cry-Child Rights & You, said that while spending more time on the Internet for education and other communication purposes, children have also become more vulnerable to many risks, especially online sexual abuse, grooming or sexual abuse. With regard to the request. , sexting, exposure to pornography, production and dissemination of child sexual abuse material, cyber-bullying, online harassment and cyber-victimization, and many other privacy-related risks.
“While there is little evidence to ascertain the scale of the impact of epidemic prevention measures on online abuse and exploitation of children, the closure of schools and the increased exposure of children to online space has a serious impact on the online risks they experience. Might have to,” he added.
During the COVID pandemic, measures taken to contain the spread of the pandemic have resulted in the closure of schools and movement into virtual learning environments. Children also spent more time online for entertainment, social and educational purposes, while not necessarily aware of any associated risks.
According to a UNICEF report (2020), 13 per cent of children and people aged 25 and under in South Asia used the Internet at home. The report also noted that only 14 percent of school children (3-17 years old) in low-middle income countries have internet access at home.
However, there is no conclusive data available in the public domain to ascertain the number of children accessing the Internet for education and other purposes across India, especially during the pandemic.
However, the UNICEF (2020) report estimated that during the COVID pandemic, around 37.6 million children across 16 states of India continued education through various distance learning initiatives such as online classes and radio programmes.
Marwah said that due to the lockdown and closure of schools, the limited opportunity for socialization has also affected the psycho-social welfare of the children.
“This can lead to increased loneliness, mood swings, substance abuse or anxiety disorders. And, they are more vulnerable to compulsively using the Internet, accessing objectionable material, or simply being bullied or abused. Maybe,” she said.
Marwah called for the need for harmonization between Internet governance policy and forums for child protection on the current discourse on the digital rights of children.
“The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has an important role to play in facilitating this discourse. It will help bridge gaps in legislative and policy measures on several cyber security issues such as the criminalization of cyberbullying and peer sexting. and self-classification – images created as child sexual abuse material,” she said.
“There is limited understanding among caregivers, educators and society about children’s experiences with ICT and the risks they face online. Caregivers, teachers and parents need to be helped to understand this That’s what children need to know so that they are able to appropriately and responsibly be able to guide and guide them. Current awareness building programs lack general content focus, are fragmented and have limited access,” Marwaha said.
He also emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to equip children, caregivers, teachers and the public with the skills to guard against online threats and be responsible digital citizens.
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