National Child Rights Commission using AI to combat online child abuse

PTI, KOHIMA, NOV 20, 2025 : The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has begun deploying AI tools to detect and prevent online child sexual abuse material, an official said. NCPCR senior consultant K.P. J. Gerald said the integration of AI into the child protection system marks a "significant leap" in strengthening digital safety for children in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Speaking at the state-level conference on the 'Implementation of Key Child Rights Legislations,' organized by NCPCR in partnership with the Department of School Education, Nagaland, Gerald emphasized that child-rights cases are "not mere figures but a child's life, their struggle, and their family's story." He called for united action from officials, teachers, parents, and citizens to ensure effective implementation of child protection laws.

Recalling NCPCR's mandate under the CPCR Act, 2005, he noted that the Commission—established in 2007—works to ensure that all national policies and programs align with constitutional principles and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Highlighting the progress made over the past six months, Gerald credited state and district authorities for their "dedicated coordination and commitment," which enabled the Commission to resolve around 26,000 child-rights violation complaints, rescue over 2,300 children from trafficking and other high-risk situations, and repatriate more than 1,000 children to Child Care Institutions in their home districts.

He also mentioned NCPCR's "Sugar Board" advisory, promoting healthy lifestyle choices and values such as discipline, empathy, and teamwork, which has been adopted by 14 states, covering nearly 6 lakh schools. This initiative was also acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program.

Outlining NCPCR's priorities for the coming months, Gerald said the commission plans to strengthen mental health support for children in the post-pandemic context, expand the use of AI tools against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and other online threats, enhance integration across 16 digital NCPCR portals, develop a unified public-facing web platform, standardize data systems for complaint management, and ensure effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and the POCSO Act, 2012.

Commissioner & Secretary of the School Education and SCERT Nagaland, Kevileno Angami, called for urgent and collective action to ensure that child rights move beyond well-defined legislation to meaningful implementation at the grassroots level. She noted that while India clearly articulates ten fundamental rights for children—including rights to survival, protection, identity, participation, non-discrimination, education, and a safe environment—the real challenge lies in ensuring that these rights are upheld in classrooms, homes, communities, and institutions.

NCPCR Chairperson Alun Hangsing warned that rapid advances in science and technology are shaping children's minds both positively and negatively. She said stakeholders—especially teachers, whom she referred to as "nation builders"—carry immense responsibility in instilling values, ethics, and social awareness in children.