Team Goemkarponn
Patna: The eRaksha Conference: United Against Online Child Exploitation concluded in Patna with significant discussions on AI-driven solutions to combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). Hosted by CyberPeace Foundation, UNICEF, British Asian Trust (BAT), and AiLECS Lab (Monash University, Australia), the conference focused on leveraging technology and international collaboration to safeguard children online, especially in vulnerable regions like Bihar.
Among the prominent speakers was Peter F. Borges, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Goa University, who delivered a session titled “Policy Making for Cyber Safety: Protecting Our Children in the Digital Age”. Borges highlighted the urgent need for policy reforms to address rising threats from cyber grooming, the dark web, and encrypted platforms. He underscored the importance of the recent Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, which declared that CSEAM is an offense under both the POCSO Act and the IT Act. This ruling strengthens the legal framework to combat online child exploitation and sets a powerful precedent for the protection of children in the digital space.
“The digital world can either empower or exploit our children. It’s our responsibility to ensure it empowers them. AI-driven solutions need robust policies and partnerships to be truly effective,” Borges emphasized. His session focused on how AI technology can be utilized to detect and eliminate CSEAM, while calling for stronger international collaboration to create safer online environments. Borges also participated in iSAFE Technical Session 2: Technological Innovations and International Collaboration, where experts discussed the role of AI and blockchain technology in preventing online exploitation. Alongside speakers like Prof. Jon Rouse from Monash University and Dr. Sshruti Mantri from the Indian School of Business, Borges highlighted the need for cross-border cooperation in tackling these challenges effectively.
In addition to technological advancements and legal reform, Borges stressed the need for long-term psychological support for survivors of online exploitation. “Justice isn’t enough,” Borges remarked. “Our survivors deserve healing, and they need comprehensive support to reclaim their digital identities.” The eRaksha initiative marked a crucial step toward creating AI-driven tools to tackle CSEAM, with an emphasis on collaboration between tech companies, NGOs, and law enforcement. The conference called for global and local efforts to ensure that digital spaces are safe for children, reflecting the significance of the Supreme Court ruling in solidifying legal measures to fight CSEAM.
The integration of AI technology with enhanced policies, driven by this landmark decision, will play a pivotal role in protecting children from online exploitation and shaping a safer digital future.
