KSCPCR Chief Naganna Gowda stresses parental involvement to prevent online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
Bengaluru
The state government has not yet implemented any regulatory changes based on a study conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) and ChildFund India on online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, said K Naganna Gowda, Chairman of KSCPCR.
Speaking at a conference organized to discuss the joint study findings, which included a panel discussion featuring education and technology experts, Gowda highlighted the urgent need for awareness and prevention strategies. He said that children, spending most of their time in schools and online, are increasingly vulnerable to internet-based threats.
Vikrant Kapoor, Head of India Operations at Technicolor Games, emphasized that parents must rebuild the culture of being friends with their children. “The parent-child relationship is crucial in keeping children safe from the internet’s dangers,” he said.
Shaji Thomas, Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Astra Studios, said that children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to explore are positive traits but can also make them vulnerable to online predators. “Parents need to monitor their children’s online activities closely and guide them with empathy,” he advised.
Experts pointed out that online abuse and cyberbullying take different forms depending on the age group of children. According to the study, active involvement of parents or primary caregivers significantly reduces the risk of online exploitation. Mothers, in particular, were found to play the most trusting and supportive role in a child’s digital life, followed by fathers and siblings, said KSCPCR Chairman K Naganna Gowda.
He urged families to maintain open communication, adding that prevention begins at home with trust, awareness, and responsible digital behavior.
