CYBER CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN: A DISREGARDED ISSUE IN INDIA

Abstract: The rights of children, such as the rights to participation, development, protection from exploitation and abuse, access to legal aid, and protection from violence and abuse, are neither respected nor protected by the current criminal justice system. It is too severe and complicated for kids to comprehend. Children have many rights granted to them under the Indian Constitution and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India has ratified. Youngsters now have rights. Children who interact with the criminal justice system as witnesses, offenders, or victims run the danger of experiencing physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. They are more vulnerable because of rules pertaining to required reporting, sexual consent age, minimum age of criminal responsibility, preliminary assessment, and difficulties obtaining legal counsel. It is evident that abuse and violence against these children are decreased and their rights are upheld when they are taken out of the intricate and severe criminal justice system. The present criminal justice system's breaches of children's rights are examined in this article. It presents recommendations for legislative changes to safeguard children's rights and makes the case for a juvenile justice system that kids can rely on, understand, and be empowered by. “The true character of a society revealed in how it treats its children”. Nelson Mandela Key words: Child, Child Protection, Cyber Abuse, Cyber Bullying, social networking sites, IT Act, IPC.