The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed Instagram to disable all ads and content facilitating access to child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM).

• Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) involves the use of information and communication technology as a means to sexually abuse and/or sexually exploit children.

Types of OCSEA

• Online Grooming: Building trust with a child online to facilitate sexual exploitation or abuse.
• CSEAM: Creation, possession, sharing, or distribution of images/videos depicting child sexual abuse.
• Sextortion: Coercing or blackmailing a child using intimate images or videos.
• Online Enticement/Solicitation: Persuading or coercing a child to engage in sexual conversations or activities.
• Others: Live-streaming Child Sexual Abuse, Online Trafficking and Recruitment, Exposure to Harmful Sexual Content, Identity Theft and Impersonation.

Steps to be taken to Prevent Online Child Abuse

• Strengthen Legal Enforcement: Of POCSO Act, IT Act, and SC judgements.
  • E.g. Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish (2024) held that possession and circulation of CSEAM is punishable under the POCSO and IT Act.
• Sex Education: Introduce age-appropriate sex education focusing on consent, online safety, and digital ethics.
• Awareness and Prevention: Conduct nationwide campaigns on child protection, cyber safety, and POCSO provisions.
• Early Intervention: Identify at-risk children and youth and provide timely counselling and behavioral support.
• Victim Support: Expand psychological counselling, rehabilitation, and educational assistance for survivors.