Digital Literacy in Schools can Curb Online Child Sexual Abuse

Context

A pilot study in Karnataka on on-line sexual exploitation and abuse of children recommends making digital literacy and on-line safety obligatory in schools from the primary level. 

Key Highlights

• It was conducted by ChildFund India and the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).
• It surveyed 903 children aged 8 to 18, found that on line risks have multiplied appreciably, mainly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It highlights the crucial role of parents, teachers, policy makers, and communities in defensive children online. 

Online baby sexual abuse and exploitation

• • Online child sexual abuse and exploitation involve the use of technology to sexually harm children, regularly by force, coercion, or manipulation.
  • Child sexual abuse refers to abusive contact or interactions wherein a child is used for sexual functions in opposition to their will, at the same time as child sexual exploitation includes such abuse combined with an trade of favors like food or shelter.

• Causes 

• • • Many children yearly fall sufferer to on line sexual abuse and exploitation, worsened by means of the misuse of present and emerging technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning. 
    • These technologies facilitate harassment, non-consensual sharing of photographs, child sexual abuse materials, extortion, and livestreaming of abuse.
      • Vulnerable and marginalized children are disproportionately affected. 
    • Despite legal guidelines, cultural stigma and concern of backlash prevent many victims from seeking justice. 

• Impacts 

• • Sexual abuse of children is a gross violation of their rights and a global public health issue.
    • It adversely impacts the health of children and youth.

Laws move the globe 

• International and nearby conventions, like the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 2007 Lanzarote Convention, set out children’s rights and require states to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. 
• These agreements focus on preventing abuse, protective victims, prosecuting offenders, and fostering cooperation for effective investigation and prevention of such crimes.

Status In India 

• Presently, Section 67B of the IT Act 2000 punishes people who publish or share material in digital form depicting children in sexually explicit acts.
• Sections 13, 14, and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) restrict using children for pornographic purposes, storing child pornography in any form, and the use of a child for sexual gratification.
• Additionally, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita penalises the revenue, distribution, or public exhibition of obscene objects, even as Section 295 makes it unlawful to promote, distribute, or showcase such obscene objects to children.

Way Forward

• The existing legislative and policy framework in India needs to evolve to futuristic challenges, by making appropriate modifications
• It requires a holistic method to include digital literacy, awareness of online rights, strong support structures, and ethical digital behaviour. 
• Education on consent, privacy, and accountable technology use, as well as up to date legal guidelines to cope with AI-generated abuses, are vital. 
• There is a need to enhance parental supervision, teacher training, and foster open conversation among children and parents.

Source: The ToI

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)

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