In today's digital era, a new threat is looming over the internet for children. Cases of cyber grooming are increasing rapidly and the government has taken several measures to deal with it. Read all the information about this cyber crime in the article and know how it can be avoided.

Prevention of Online Grooming: In today's digital age where children are spending more time on online education, entertainment and social media, the threat of cyber grooming is increasing rapidly. Cyber ​​grooming is the process in which online predators befriend children and target them for sexual exploitation or other criminal activities. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of internet users in India reached 692 million and about 30.4 percent of them were children. And this figure is being taken advantage of by online predators sitting online, which is becoming more serious with time.

What is online cyber grooming and how does one become a victim?

In online cyber grooming, criminals connect with children through social media, gaming platforms and chat apps. They create trust in the minds of children, force them to share personal information and then misuse it. These thugs make children feel how special they are to them and then provoke them to talk obscenely, they may ask minors for their personal pictures or call them to meet somewhere by deceit. Children's minds often get trapped in all this very easily, which ultimately results in a very bad result. They can misuse the pictures and if a child goes to meet, there is a possibility that he may be kidnapped.

Often, these predators lure them by presenting themselves as someone of the same age or as a helper. According to a report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1823 cases of cyber crimes were registered in India in 2022, which increased rapidly compared to 1376 cases in 2021.

What should parents and children do to protect themselves?

Parents need to be vigilant to ensure the online safety of children. Some important measures that can help avoid cyber grooming are:

Communicate: You should be aware of what children do online, so keep talking to them, as well as advise them to be cautious of any suspicious person.

Update privacy settings: Keep children's profiles private on social media and gaming platforms so that their information does not reach strangers.

Avoid unknown links and friend requests: Teach children not to click on any unknown link and not to accept friend requests from any stranger.

Report cyber bullying and blackmail: If the child faces any kind of threat, blackmail or inappropriate request, report it immediately.

What to do if you have become a victim of cyber grooming?

The government has taken strong steps against online crimes and has provided several facilities to help the victims:

National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal: The government has launched the cybercrime.gov.in portal, where complaints of cyber crimes can be lodged.

Toll-free helpline 1930: This helpline is available 24×7 for complaints related to cyber crimes.

Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): This center under the Ministry of Home Affairs assists in preventing and investigating cyber crimes.

POCSO Act and IT Act: India has stringent provisions against online sexual crimes under POCSO (2012) and IT Act (2000). Section 67B of the IT Act provides for strict punishment to prevent child pornography and cyber grooming.

Accountability of social media platforms: Under the IT Rules 2021, social media platforms have been directed to use technology to identify and remove child sexual abuse content.

Also read: Scammers are doing such fraud in online hotel, ticket booking, know what are the ways to avoid it

Awareness and vigilance against cyber grooming

The government is raising awareness against cyber crimes through various campaigns. Children and parents are being made aware through ex-handles like @CyberDost, radio campaigns, internet safety instructions in schools, and helpline services. Educating children about digital safety and promoting the reporting of cyber crimes is the most effective way to avoid this threat. If you or your child has become a victim of cyberbullying, then instead of panicking, seek legal help and take action through cyber crime reporting platforms. Only awareness and the right steps can stop this growing threat.