Study on online child sexual abuse recommends inclusion of digital literacy in school curriculum

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.

Protecting children from online risks requires the concerted efforts of parents, educators, policymakers, and communities, said the study jointly conducted by ChildFund India and Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).

A report on the study titled “Online Risks of Children: Focus on Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children” was released by Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti in Bengaluru on Friday.

“This report is a comprehensive effort to understand the digital experiences of children in Karnataka, capturing insights from children themselves, as well as from parents, teachers, and child protection stakeholders. It provides a holistic view of children’s vulnerabilities in the digital realm,” said KSCPCR chairperson K. Naganna Gowda

Objectives of study

The major objectives of this study were to investigate the nature and prevalence of ‘Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children’ (OSEAC) in Karnataka by estimating the prevalence of OSEAC among children aged 8 to 18 years.

In the first stage, five districts from Karnataka (Chamarajanagar, Raichur, Chikkamagaluru, Belagavi and Bengaluru) were selected. In the next stage, schools of various types were sampled from the rural and urban areas, which constituted the Second-stage Sampling Units (SSUs). Subsequently, individual respondents were sampled, who constituted the Ultimate Sampling Units (USUs) in the study. Six schools were selected from each of the five districts and 30 students (10 each from 8-11 years, 12-14 years and 15-18 years categories) were sampled from each of these schools. Two out of school children from the vicinity of the sampled schools were also included for interviews. Overall, 903 school going children were covered under the study.

Key recommendations
The study noted that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased children’s exposure to online risks, underscoring the urgent need for corrective measures. Parental supervision, teacher training, and digital literacy emerged as critical areas for prevention and mitigating risks. However, underreporting and societal stigma continue to pose significant challenges, discouraging victims and families from seeking help.

Addressing OSEAC comprehensively requires a collaborative effort involving schools, parents, NGOs, and law enforcement, with a focus on awareness, support services, and stricter enforcement of child protection measures, the study recommended. Open communication between parents and children about online risks and safe behavior should be encouraged and community awareness programmes should be conducted, it added.

Digital literacy and online safety should be included in school curriculum, and age-appropriate toolkits should be developed. Peer-led education and workshops should be used to teach parents, especially in rural areas, about monitoring children’s internet use. Children should be involved in designing safer online spaces and creating community and “Digital Safety Champions” for first-response support.

The other recommendations included setting up a Karnataka OSEAC Task Force to oversee prevention and rehabilitation.