Q18. 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.
Possible Introductions
Definition-based:
The digital era offers children access to education, entertainment, and opportunities, but also exposes them to cyberbullying, online abuse, addiction, misinformation, and privacy threats. The NCPCR (2007, under Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005) is mandated to ensure that all laws, policies, and programmes are aligned with the rights of children.
Fact-based:
According to UNICEF (2021), one in three internet users globally is a child. In India, internet penetration among 5–14 year olds rose sharply during COVID-19, highlighting both opportunities and risks.
Philosophical:
Digital empowerment of children must go hand-in-hand with digital protection, ensuring their rights to safety, privacy, and dignity.
Main Body
1. Existing Policies & Frameworks in India
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- IT Act, 2000 & Rules (2021): Regulates digital platforms, age-gating, content moderation.
- POCSO Act, 2012: Protects children from sexual exploitation, including online abuse.
- Juvenile Justice Act, 2015: Broad child protection framework.
- National Education Policy (2020): Recognises digital learning, emphasises safety & digital literacy.
- National Cybercrime Reporting Portal: For reporting online child sexual abuse material.
- NCPCR Guidelines (2021): Eliminating Corporal Punishment, Preventing Child Marriage Online, Regulating EdTech platforms.
2. Challenges for Children in Digital Era
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- Exposure to Harmful Content: Pornography, violent or extremist material.
- Cyberbullying & Online Grooming: Increasing cases of harassment.
- Addiction & Mental Health: Excessive screen time → anxiety, depression.
- EdTech & Data Privacy: Commercial exploitation of children’s data.
- Digital Divide: Unequal access reinforces socio-economic inequalities.
3. Measures NCPCR Can Initiate
(a) Policy & Regulatory Role
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- Advocate for Child Online Protection Policy (like UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code).
- Push for mandatory parental control & age-verification mechanisms on OTT, gaming & social media platforms.
- Ensure child-specific data protection clauses in the upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
(b) Awareness & Capacity Building
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- Digital literacy programmes in schools & communities.
- Train parents, teachers, and child protection officers to identify online risks.
- Collaborate with NGOs & tech firms for awareness campaigns (Safe Surfing for Kids).
(c) Monitoring & Reporting
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- Strengthen helplines (1098 Childline) for reporting cyber harm.
- Establish a dedicated Child Digital Safety Cell within NCPCR to monitor online platforms.
- Partner with CERT-In to track and respond to harmful content.
(d) Child Participation
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- Create children’s advisory councils for NCPCR to capture real experiences of online risks.
- Promote child-friendly complaint mechanisms.
(e) International Collaboration
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- Align with UNICEF’s “Child Online Protection” guidelines.
- Participate in global forums on online safety and data governance for children.
Possible Conclusions
Balanced:
NCPCR must adopt a multi-dimensional strategy integrating regulation, awareness, and technology to ensure children’s safety in the digital era.
Policy-linked:
Embedding child digital rights within India’s Digital India and Cybersecurity strategies will strengthen resilience.
Philosophical:
Protecting children in the digital space is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative for safeguarding India’s future.
Forward-looking:
A digitally safe childhood today will create empowered, confident, and resilient citizens for India@2047.
