National-Level Consultation Addressing the Issue of Drastic Increase in Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
On August 22nd and 23rd, a National-Level Consultation was organised to address the issue of the drastic increase in online sexual exploitation of children through the project Step Up Against Sexual Exploitation of Children (SUFASEC). The two-day event was organised by The Children of India Foundation in partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands. Over 150 people from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Jharkhand, including youth ambassadors, specialists, and facilitators, came together for the event to discuss preventive measures and increase awareness of the growing risks that come with using internet platforms.
The National Level Consultation of Youth Ambassadors was inaugurated by Dr Thangaperumal Ponpandi, Country Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Mr Sanjay Mishra, Treasurer at NACG EVAC India, and Mr. Subramania Siva, trustee of CIF.
Sessions throughout the day focused on understanding the scope of the issue, the psychological impact on victims, and the legal frameworks surrounding online abuse. One of the day’s highlights was the interactive panel discussions featuring youth ambassadors and facilitators. They shared their on-the-ground experiences of dealing with online child exploitation and discussed the challenges they face. Their collaborative efforts set the ground for community-based solutions to spread awareness and combat online abuse more effectively.
The discussions over 2 days brought to light several important issues, one of which was the stark disparity between the current legal framework and its actual application. Many victims of internet abuse are still reluctant to come forward despite several laws aimed at protecting them. This is frequently because they are afraid of being judged or because they don’t trust the system. This emphasises the importance of an approachable and encouraging complaint procedure.
“While the pandemic accelerated internet penetration and created opportunities, it also left children unaware of online dangers. The widening digital divide between children and adults made it crucial for both children to be educated on safe internet use and for adults to be informed about responsible internet practices, including the use of parental controls” ” said our Country Manager, Thangaperumal Ponpandi, highlighting the need and importance of spreading awareness among the youth to prevent such cases. Consequently, youth ambassadors participated in a reel contest to create a 1-minute awareness video on online sexual exploitation of children. This hands-on task encouraged youth ambassadors to think creatively about how they can spread awareness among their peers and communities and further emphasise the importance of protecting children online.
Building on the success of the previous day, the second day’s consultation saw an unprecedented level of excitement following the announcement of the Reels contest winners. The Karnataka Legal Services Authority’s Member Secretary, Sri. M.L. Raghunath, and Deputy Secretary, Sri. M. Sridhara, Sri. Naganna Gowda, the chairperson of the Karnataka Legal Services Authority and the Karnataka State Commission for Safeguarding the rights of Children, The head of the Telangana State Commission for the Protection of rights of Children, Sri. Kesali Apparao, state commissioner for child rights protection in Andhra Pradesh, Sri. Sanjay Mishra, NACG EVAG India Treasurer, inaugurated the day.
Two state-of-the-art technological techniques were presented by Dr Thangaperumal Ponpandi to support kid safety in the internet environment. First, he launched a chatbot on the Children of India website with the express purpose of informing visitors about the dangers of child sexual exploitation on the internet. The chatbot, which has more than 1,600 Built-in prompts, has the potential to completely change how people obtain and share knowledge about this important topic. Additionally, Our country manager released the AI-powered software “Guardian Care,” which provides essential information via video elements regarding children’s rights and protection. Primarily aimed at parents, the app is now accessible in English, and more languages will be added soon. He also declared the publication of a brand-new book called The Safety Net, which aims to inform readers about the security of children in the digital world.
The participants had a thought-provoking interactive conversation with law enforcement officers and legal advocates after being inspired by the discovery of these new resources. The recommendations made by the state representatives and youth ambassadors formed the basis of the discussions. Participants asked state governments to increase funding for juvenile, adolescent, and child-focused educational programs, with an emphasis on preventing online sexual exploitation. They contended that although new legislation would not be required right away, considerable advancements might result from the effective application of current legislation and extensive public awareness campaigns.
Thus, with a united effort from government representatives, legal advocates, and young leaders, this consultation marked an important milestone in the fight against online child exploitation, encouraging ongoing collaboration and action for lasting change.
