Q. 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:

NCPCR’s Role in Addressing Digital Era Challenges for Children

The digital revolution has created unprecedented opportunities alongside significant risks for children. While offering educational resources and connectivity, it exposes them to cyberbullying, online predation, and inappropriate content. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), established under the CPCR Act 2005, must evolve its approach to safeguard children’s rights in this complex digital ecosystem.

Existing Policy Framework and Gaps:

India has developed several legislative measures addressing online child safety:

• Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021 – Mandate social media intermediaries to exercise due diligence and establish grievance redressal mechanisms. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly for smaller platforms.

• POCSO Act, 2012 – Covers online sexual offences including child pornography and grooming (like Instagram predator cases), but struggles with cross-border jurisdiction issues.

• Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 – Addresses child exploitation but lacks specific provisions for emerging threats like deepfakes and AI-generated content.

Critical gaps persist in implementation, with low digital literacy among stakeholders and rapidly evolving technology outpacing regulatory frameworks. The absence of comprehensive data protection laws specifically for children remains a significant vulnerability.

Suggested Measures for NCPCR:

Regulatory Interventions:
• Develop mandatory age-appropriate design codes for digital platforms targeting children (like YouTube Kids standards)
• Establish stringent compliance mechanisms for ed-tech platforms regarding data collection
• Create specialized guidelines for online gaming platforms addressing addiction concerns (PUBG, Free Fire issues)

Preventive and Support Systems:
• Launch nationwide digital literacy campaigns integrating cyber safety in school curricula from primary level
• Establish 24×7 child-friendly helpline for reporting online abuse with multilingual support
• Develop partnerships with tech companies for implementing parental control features
• Create district-level cyber safety cells for rapid response

Research and Monitoring:
• Commission periodic studies on emerging digital threats
• Maintain centralized database on online crimes against children
• Regular social media audits for child safety compliance

Conclusion: A multi-stakeholder approach combining robust regulation, education, and technology solutions is essential for comprehensive child protection online.