About Online Child pornography

Online Child pornography is the abuse or exploitation of a minor (below 18 years) in a sexually explicit act/conduct online through images or videos. The online predators lurking in social media platforms, gaming sites, chat rooms, lure and trick children and adolescents into situations with the motive of sexual abuse/exploitation.

Why should we be concerned?

The victim is traumatized and suffers immensely both mentally and physically, it can also lead the child to depression, isolation, substance abuse etc.,

The cyber criminal resort to making the child (below the age of 18), perform explicit sexual acts online and posts the content online. There are many instances of circulation / sharing of images and videos depicting children in sexual acts over Internet on social media and other online platforms. According to an estimate of the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Indian users uploaded 5,000 images or videos per month. Delhi tops the list for the maximum uploads of child porn, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Few pointers / warning signs

• The child can be burdened by feelings of guilt and wrong doing, shame etc.,
• The child undergoes extreme physical pain and emotional disturbance
• The child remains sad, distressed, isolated and may show signs depression.

What are the measures to safeguard ourselves against such offences?

In the current scenario it becomes extremely necessary for both the parents and children to aware and alert about such crimes and accordingly know the measures to safeguard against such crimes.

• Be very cautious when interacting with unknown people online, confirm the identity of the person through your friends circle.
• If an online contact is being too good to you, claiming to share same interests, likes & dislikes and shows interest in meeting you personally, it is a warning sign.
• Never agree to personally meet a stranger who has befriended you online, without informing the parents.
• Educate children on secured digital practices and dangers of befriending online strangers.
• In case you experience something uncomfortable, immediately cutoff all contacts with this person, inform your parents and report on cybercrime.gov.in.
• Inform your parents if you see or read anything that makes you uncomfortable.
• You can contact the social media administrators ( Facebook, twitter etc.,) and report to them regarding any inappropriate post. You can also contact 1098
• Enable security & privacy features on social media accounts
  https://www.facebook.com/help/; https://help.twitter.com/en; https://help.instagram.com/
  (select the privacy and security options in the given URL’s links and follow instructions )
• Contact the helpline number 1098, provided by Ministry of Women and Child Development.

What is the action that can be taken against online child pornography?

1. Register a complaint online on cybercrime.gov.in. You have an option to register such crimes anonymously too.

2. Register a complaint in nearest cybercrime police station.

Know about what law says about such offences?

It is a very serious crime and is severely punishable non bailable offence under law. It attracts section 293 of IPC, 1860 and S, 67B, under I.T. Amendment Act 2008 (which addresses child pornography) and section 14 of POCSO Act, 2012 can also be invoked in such cases. Maximum punishment can be jail term for maximum 10 years and fine.