Social activists, advocates seek stricter laws on online access to pornographic content

Social activists and advocates have recently urged for stricter legal measures to curb unrestricted access to pornographic and sexually explicit content online, especially for minors. This call came in the wake of a series of recent sexual assault cases, including the gang-rape of a minor near a Delhi college, highlighting the urgent need for better protection of women and children in India.

The issue at hand extends beyond merely regulating digital content to ensuring the safety and well-being of India's younger generation, according to Uday Mahurkar, founder of Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation and a former Central Information Commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Mahurkar, along with other activists including Yogita Bhayana, Vishnu Shankar Jain, Sanjeev Newar, Vineet Jindal, and Amita Sachdev, called for robust age verification systems and a dedicated law to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content.

They suggested a blanket ban on minors using social media, similar to Australia's approach, and proposed amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, including penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment and property seizure for convicted offenders. The activists emphasized that prevention is key, starting with shielding children from harmful influences that can distort their understanding of sex, consent, and relationships.

They argued that platforms, technology companies, and the regulatory system must bear clear liability and face enforceable penalties for violations, ensuring that children cannot circumvent protective measures.