Widespread sharing of personal information on the internet often leads to child abuse: WBCPCR

According to the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR), rampant sharing of personal information on social media by children often gives rise to cases of child abuse, child trafficking and child marriage.

WBCPCR President Tulika Das said traffickers and other unscrupulous people are using fake identities on social media platforms to lure children into their traps.

This issue was also raised during a programme organised to celebrate 'National Child Protection Day' by WBCPCR in collaboration with UNICEF.

According to Das, children are becoming increasingly vulnerable and many incidents of child trafficking, child marriage, child abuse and child pornography occur when traffickers use the Internet to dupe them. .

Warning that traffickers and other unscrupulous people use fake identities on social media to lure children into their traps, Das stressed that there is a need to educate children about the pitfalls of carelessly sharing personal information and photos on Internet being one of them. of the school program.

“WBCPCR recommends that digital literacy be included in the school curriculum and taught in a child-friendly way to protect children when studying, playing or making friends online,” she said.

The Commission has already distributed posters, audio messages and video clips against human trafficking to raise awareness on the subject.

UNICEF is also working closely with WBCPCR on various child safety programmes in the state.

According to UNICEF West Bengal chief Prabhat Kumar, children as well as adults need to be careful while using the internet.

“You should think before posting, sharing and accepting any information or data on the internet. Always inform your friends, relatives or the police if you see someone being cyberbullied,” Kumar said.