Civil Services Prep

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue.

Model answer

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), created under the CPCR Act, 2005, protects children’s rights in digital spaces. NCRB recorded 1,823 cybercrime cases against children in 2022, up from 232 in 2018. Children face key risks: **Online abuse:** Grooming, cyberbullying, sextortion, stalking and circulation of child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) cause harm. **Commercial harm:** Platforms may collect children’s data, push targeted content or use addictive designs. Deepfakes and unsafe online games add new risks. **Weak protection:** Children fear reporting; adults may lack digital skills; and police, schools, platforms and counsellors work separately. India’s policy framework is broad but fragmented: **Protection against sexual abuse:** POCSO Act Sections 11, 13 and 15 cover online sexual harassment and CSEAM. IT Act Section 67B punishes online child sexual exploitation.

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