The Delhi High Court has emphasized that merely teaching minors about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ is insufficient in today’s virtual environment. It stated that children must also be educated about the emerging concept of ‘virtual touch’ and its associated risks.
This includes instructing them on appropriate online conduct, identifying signs of predatory behavior, and understanding the significance of privacy settings and online boundaries.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma remarked, “Today’s modern virtual world poses new challenges, where virtual interactions among teenagers can lead to unforeseen risks. Adolescents are often ill-prepared to handle potential dangers such as human trafficking for prostitution and other crimes prevalent in the virtual realm.”
Sexual Assault
The court’s observations came while dismissing a bail application by Kamlesh Devi, a woman accused of assisting her son in sexually assaulting a minor girl after kidnapping and forcing her into prostitution.
Rajiv allegedly kidnapped the 16-year-old after befriending her on social media and abducting her when she arrived to meet him. The girl was transported to Madhya Pradesh and held there for several days. She alleges that the man and others sexually assaulted her.
It was also claimed that the girl was forced to marry a 45-year-old man in exchange for money. The teen claimed that the accused would bring various men to the location where she was confined and force her to present herself to these men for sexual gratification.
“Traditionally, efforts to protect minors from harm have focused on teaching them about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ in the physical realm. However, in today’s virtual world, it is crucial to extend this education to encompass the concept of ‘virtual touch’. Minors must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate online interactions safely and recognise potential risks lurking in cyberspace,” the judge observed.
Be Cautious
It went on to say that, just as children are taught to be cautious in the real world, efforts must be made to teach them critical thinking skills so that they can assess the credibility of online contacts and protect their personal information.
“Moreover, parents, guardians, and educators play a crucial role in fostering digital literacy and promoting responsible online conduct among minors. By fostering open communication channels and providing guidance on navigating the digital landscape, adults can empower children to make informed decisions and protect themselves from online threats,” the court stated further.
It said the need of the hour is also to send a message through this order to stakeholders such as schools and colleges, Delhi State Legal Services Authority, and Delhi Judicial Academy to hold programmes, workshops, and conferences on the matter.
