Answer:

In the digital age, protecting children online while ensuring their right to access information is a critical challenge. With the rise in internet usage among young users, children are exposed to both opportunities for learning and risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful content. Balancing online safety with their right to information access requires a multifaceted approach involving legal frameworks, parental guidance, and technology solutions.

Challenges in Protecting Children Online:

• Inadequate Digital Literacy: Many parents and children lack sufficient digital literacy, making it difficult to navigate online safely and understand potential risks.
  For example: In India, only 40% of individuals can perform basic digital tasks, complicating efforts to protect children from online threats.
• Shared Device Usage: Children often use shared devices with family members, making it challenging to monitor and regulate their online activities effectively.
  For example: In many rural households, shared phone usage makes tracking individual child usage impossible, exposing them to risks like cyberbullying.
• Inconsistent Regulation: The enforcement of online safety regulations is inconsistent, particularly in countries with low internet regulation or poor compliance from tech companies.
  For example: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 mandates parental consent but lacks effective enforcement mechanisms in India.
• Inappropriate Content Exposure: Children are frequently exposed to inappropriate content online due to the lack of robust filtering mechanisms on many platforms.
  For example: Reports of children accessing adult content through platforms like YouTube have prompted the need for stronger safety features.
• Cyberbullying and Online Exploitation: The rise in cyberbullying and online exploitation poses significant risks to children’s mental and emotional health.
  For example: A UNICEF report highlighted that 1 in 3 children worldwide have experienced cyberbullying, with severe consequences for their well-being.

Global Approaches with special reference to India’s Policy Framework and Socio-Economic Realities:

Global Approaches

• Age-Appropriate Design Code (UK): Introduced in 2020, this law ensures platforms design features that are age-appropriate, improving child safety online.
  For example: Platforms like Meta and TikTok have modified over 128 features to align with this code, enhancing online safety for children.
• South Korea’s Cinderella Law: This law prevents children from gaming between midnight and 6 AM, aiming to protect them from gaming addiction.
  For example: Despite the law, children bypassed restrictions using fake accounts, highlighting enforcement challenges.
• France’s Regulation on Child Influencers: France ensures that income generated by child influencers is safeguarded until they turn 16, protecting children from exploitation.
  For example: These regulations could serve as a model for India to protect its young social media influencers.

India’s Approach

• India’s IT Act and Personal Data Protection Bill: India’s IT Act provides some protections for children, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 requires parental consent for data sharing.
  For example: The NCPCR monitors child safety online, though enforcement is hampered by low digital literacy.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: These rules emphasise the role of intermediaries like social media platforms in protecting children. However, tech companies often struggle to implement comprehensive age verification and child safety measures.
  For instance: Platforms such as WhatsApp have faced criticism for not effectively restricting underage users.
• Lack of Digital Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Despite government initiatives like Digital India, many rural areas lack adequate infrastructure for digital safety. Limited access to high-speed internet and proper devices prevents children from safely accessing online educational content.
  For example: Only 53% of rural India had internet access as of 2023, which limits the reach of digital safety measures.
• Limited Digital Literacy in Schools: While modern education emphasises digital literacy, Indian schools still lack comprehensive online safety education, especially in low-income areas.
  

Shortcomings of the Approaches

• Infeasibility of Blanket Bans: Banning children from certain platforms can drive them to find workarounds, making the ban ineffective.
• Privacy Concerns: Age verification systems requiring identity documents raise privacy issues and often collect more data than necessary.
  For instance: In India, the use of Aadhaar for age verification in online platforms has raised concerns about data misuse.
• Accessibility Barriers: Strict online regulations may inadvertently exclude children from marginalised communities with limited access to identity documents or digital resources.
  For instance: In rural India, children without proper identification may find it hard to use digital platforms under stricter rules.
• Undue Burden on Tech Companies: Imposing overly stringent regulations on tech platforms may stifle innovation and complicate operations for global firms.
  For instance: Tech companies like Google and Meta have expressed concerns over complex legal frameworks affecting their business models.
• Overemphasis on Restrictions: Focusing too much on restricting access can hinder children’s educational opportunities and skill development in the digital age.
  For instance: Studies suggest that children’s access to digital learning platforms plays a key role in enhancing their skills and employability.

Way Forward

• Improving Digital Literacy: Governments should prioritise improving digital literacy for both parents and children to help them navigate online platforms safely.
  For instance: India’s Digital India initiative could expand its scope to cover online safety and digital literacy for children in rural areas.
• Strengthening Parental Controls: Tech platforms must develop robust parental control features that allow better monitoring of children’s online activities without invading privacy.
  For example: Platforms like YouTube Kids provide customizable parental control settings to manage screen time and restrict content.
• Age-Appropriate Design: Adopting laws like the UK’s Age-Appropriate Design Code will ensure that tech platforms create child-friendly digital environments with enhanced safety features.
  For instance: India could implement similar guidelines requiring tech platforms to modify features for different age groups.
• Focus on Online Safety Education: Schools must incorporate online safety education into the curriculum to teach children how to protect themselves in digital spaces.
  For example: India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) could include provisions for online safety and digital responsibility in school syllabi.
• Collaborative Efforts: Governments, tech companies, and civil society must work together to create a safer digital environment for children while ensuring their right to information access.
  For instance: Collaboration between the Indian Ministry of Education and tech platforms could ensure comprehensive child safety measures.

In the digital age, balancing online safety and children’s right to access information remains a complex challenge. Through collaborative efforts, improving digital literacy, and implementing robust age-appropriate regulations, children can be better protected from online threats. A holistic approach involving parents, educators, governments, and tech platforms will create safer and more inclusive digital spaces for children globally.

DOWNLOAD PDF