A pilot study on online sexual exploitation and abuse of children in Karnataka has recommended that digital literacy and online safety should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum, starting from the primary level.

About Online Child Sexual Abuse

• Online Child Sexual Abuse refers to any form of sexual exploitation or abuse of children that takes place through digital platforms, such as: Social media, Messaging apps, Online games etc.

• Forms of OCSA: 
  • Grooming: Building an emotional connection with a child online to gain their trust for sexual abuse.
  • Sexual extortion (sextortion): Threatening to share sexual content unless more is sent or demands are met.
  • Production and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Cyberstalking and unsolicited messages.

Objectives of the Study

• Investigate the nature and prevalence of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) in Karnataka.
• Focused on children aged 8 to 18 years across rural and urban areas.
• Capture insights from children, parents, teachers, and child protection stakeholders.

Key Findings Of The Study

• COVID-19 Impact: Pandemic significantly increased children’s exposure to online risks.
• Underreporting & Stigma: Social stigma discourages victims and families from seeking help.
• High vulnerability: Due to limited awareness, inadequate supervision, and lack of digital literacy.

Major Recommendations Of The Study

• Digital Literacy & Curriculum Reform: Introduce compulsory digital literacy and online safety education from the primary level.
  • Develop age-appropriate toolkits to teach online safety in schools.
• Teacher and Parental Involvement
  • Train teachers on identifying and addressing online abuse.
  • Conduct peer-led workshops to educate parents, especially in rural areas, about safe internet use.
  • Promote open communication between parents and children about online behavior.
• Community-Based Interventions
  • Establish community awareness programmes on OSEAC and online risks.
  • Create “Digital Safety Champions” within communities for first-response support.
  • Involve children in co-creating safe digital spaces.
• Institutional Measures
  • Set up a Karnataka OSEAC Task Force to coordinate prevention, support, and rehabilitation.
  • Strengthen partnerships among schools, parents, NGOs, and law enforcement.
• Stronger Support and Enforcement: Enhance support services for victims, including mental health care.
  • Enforce stricter laws and monitoring mechanisms to deter online child abuse.

Way Forward

• A holistic, multi-stakeholder approach is essential.
• Combining policy action, education reform, community engagement, and legal enforcement can ensure children’s safety in the digital age.

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