Hyderabad: The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), which is leading the battle against digital fraudsters, is taking youth and child protection as a top priority. In line with this, the bureau has set up a dedicated child protection unit (CPU) to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and related online offences.
This initiative aims to safeguard children from getting exploited online and strengthen efforts to combat cybercrimes that involve abuse, particularly those related to pornographic content, said TGCSB director Shikha Goel.
DGP Goel, who heads the Women Safety Wing, said that the CPU would operate in close collaboration with Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an association that is working to combat child exploitation and an MoU had been signed to combat child abuse on online platforms including the pornographic content.
The BBA, which has a wing dealing with harassment, will assist the bureau by providing resource persons and training officers in handling such sensitive cases, Goel said.
Cases related to child sexual abuse material will be reported through petitions and complaints filed via the emergency helpline 1930 and the investigation will be taken up with TGCSB and BBA resources. It will also monitor content across online platforms.
“This proactive approach aims to identify and eliminate harmful material before it can cause further damage,” Goel added.
She said a holistic approach was being taken by the TGSCB. “This initiative is not just about identifying perpetrators but also about creating a robust system that addresses prevention, detection, and justice,” she stated.
TGCSB has also taken up an initiative to educate parents in order to ensure digital safety of children. “We know how difficult it is for parents to see their children experience untoward online situations like cyberbullying and coming across inappropriate content on social media platforms. But we believe that digital hygiene too starts from home and that a parent must know what rights these applications give them,” said Goel.
TGCSB has developed a handbook that aims to educate parents about the different parental control features social media apps provide. From understanding what these parental control features are to helping parents understand how they can help their children create healthy digital boundaries, the guide has it all.
The handbook also consists of ways parents can teach their children fearless reporting of online crimes. “We advise parents to have open conversations with their children. Make them believe they can reach out to you for support. Identifying behaviours is one thing a parent can do. Identify mood swings, behaviors of secrecy or withdrawal. Keeping records like screenshots of messages, comments act as crucial evidence while taking legal action against the bully,” the TGCSB director said.
The bureau further urged parents to be aware of the laws that exist to protect their child from online abuse.
