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@article{189263,
        author = {Dr. Romita Reang},
        title = {CHILD SELF-GENERATED SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL: CHALLENGES AND THE EVOLVING INDIAN LEGAL RESPONSE},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {7},
        pages = {5167-5173},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=189263},
        abstract = {The rapid development of digital technologies has transformed the landscape of child protection, increasing new forms of harm that occur online but leave profound and enduring offline consequences. India, like many other countries, has witnessed a significant surge in cases involving the creation, circulation, and persistence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including self-generated content produced by minors themselves. Such material often arises in contexts of coercion, grooming, experimentation, or peer pressure, yet its digital permanence results in lasting psychological trauma and long-term vulnerabilities for children. The COVID-19 pandemic, marked by increased online activity, further accelerated these risks, alongside evolving threats such as livestreaming exploitation and AI-driven manipulation.
This article examines India’s evolving legal response to child abuse in the digital sphere, focusing particularly on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology Act, and recent judicial and policy developments. It explores how existing laws address emerging forms of online harm, the challenges of criminalizing self-generated content without compromising children’s empowerment rights, and the gaps that remain in ensuring a child-centred trauma-informed approach. The paper also evaluates India’s alignment with international standards, highlighting the need for nuanced legal reforms that differentiate between exploitative scenarios and consensual yet ill-informed adolescent behaviour. Through a socio-legal analysis, the study argues that while legislative advancements signal progress, effective protection requires a balance between stringent regulation, digital literacy, restorative interventions, and the incorporation of children’s rights principles. Ultimately, the article emphasizes that digital harms inflicted through online abuse are real and enduring, necessitating a comprehensive and empathetic legal framework that prioritizes prevention, protection, and recovery.},
        keywords = {Child Sexual Abuse Material, Digital Harm, POCSO Act, Online Child Protection, Cyber Laws.},
        month = {December},
        }