Sexual Predation: Protecting Children In The Era Of Internet- The Indian Perspective

Protection of children from online threats is a global challenge and must be addressed urgently.In India, around 134 million children have access to mobile phones and faster internet connection and this number is just increasing leaps and bounds with the passage of time.Though this phenomenal diversification of web access has its boons, however, the lack of legal literacy and safety measures can end up being detrimental to children and can lead to online violence and threats such as online bullying, emotional abuse and sexual predation.To curb exploitation through e-resources, many laws have been incorporated by Indian government however; the implementation of the said laws is weak. Due to unawareness amongst the youth and lack of sensitization in the police, limited number of cases are reported and the conviction number is even lower.Through this paper the author intends to peel the sugar-coated truth and intends to shed light on the dark reality of child exploitation through e- resources. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the current prevailing situations in India while giving sharp reference to laws and enforcement procedures made for the protection of children from online harassment and to give suitable recommendations and suggestions that can be incorporated in the Indian regime for their better implementation.