NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo has written to Minister of Information and Broadcasting, CS Krishnan Reddy, highlighting the potential exposure of minors to explicit material on the platform.
NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has raised serious concerns about the alleged availability of pornographic content on Platform X, urging the government to take immediate action.
NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo has written to Minister of Information and Broadcasting, CS Krishnan Reddy, highlighting the potential exposure of minors to explicit material on the platform.
The Commission, established under Section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, aims to protect children’s rights and ensure the effective implementation of laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The complaint, submitted by Uday Mahurkar of the Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation, claims that pornographic content is easily accessible on Platform X. According to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, India had 25.45 million users on Platform X as of April 2024, exacerbating concerns about minors accessing explicit material.
“The unrestricted accessibility of explicit content on Platform X to minors constitutes a violation of Section 11 of the POCSO Act, 2012,” stated Kanoongo. Section 11 of the POCSO Act defines sexual harassment as showing any object to a child with sexual intent for pornographic purposes.
The NCPCR has taken cognizance of the complaint under Section 13(1)(j) of the CPCR Act, 2005. The Commission has recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate legal action against Platform X. The letter emphasizes the need for stringent measures to prevent children from accessing such platforms and content.
“In light of the severity of the situation, we urge immediate inquiry and action against Platform X,” Kanoongo wrote. He further requested a detailed report on the matter to be submitted to the Commission within 10 days.
This call for action highlights the ongoing struggle to protect minors from inappropriate content online. The NCPCR’s intervention underscores the importance of ensuring that digital platforms adhere to laws designed to safeguard children.
Minister CS Krishnan Reddy’s response will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing these concerns. The NCPCR’s proactive approach aims to prompt swift government action to protect minors from harmful online content.