Type of cyber crime
Crimes against children online
Grooming, sextortion of minors, child sexual abuse material, cyberbullying and gaming-chat exploitation.
Children are targeted where they are: games, Discord, Instagram and YouTube comments. Grooming starts as friendship and gifts, moves to secrecy, then to images and threats. Indian law is strict (POCSO and IT Act section 67B), reporting can be anonymous, and the platforms and NCPCR respond fastest when the report is framed correctly.
How it usually looks
- A "teen" on a game chat asks a 13-year-old for photos in exchange for in-game currency.
- A class WhatsApp group used to circulate a morphed image of a student.
- An adult pretending to be a talent scout on Instagram.
Law that applies
| Provision | What it covers | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| POCSO Act 2012 s.11-12 | Sexual harassment of a child, including online | Up to 3 years and fine |
| IT Act 2000 s.67B | Child sexual abuse material: creating, collecting, browsing, transmitting | Up to 5 years (first), 7 years (second) and fine |
| POCSO Act 2012 s.19 | Mandatory reporting of offences against children | Failure to report is itself an offence (s.21) |
Sections are quoted for orientation; the police decide the final charge sheet. Verify text at indiacode.nic.in.
Where to report
- Report on cybercrime.gov.in (report anonymously option for CSAM).
- Call Childline 1098 or approach the NCPCR e-Baal Nidan portal.
- Report the account on the platform as child exploitation; do not forward the material, even to prove it.
How to prevent it
- Devices in shared spaces, age-appropriate accounts, and an agreement that the child can tell you anything without punishment.
- Know the games and apps; check who can message them.
Frequently asked questions
My child received an explicit image. Should I keep it as evidence?
Do not forward or copy it. Keep the device as is, screenshot the sender's profile and the chat metadata, and report. Possessing CSAM is an offence; the police will handle the material itself.