Socio Legal Implications of Digital Media in Child Safety: Perceptions, Awareness, and Reporting Under Posco 2012

Roshan Kumar Gupta, Dr. Khoda Meena

Abstract: There are new possibilities for learning and communication thanks to the fast growth of digital media, but there are also significant dangers of sexual exploitation and abuse for children when they are online. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 is an important piece of legislation in India that aims to protect children from sexual abuse. However, in this digital age, the law will only be effective if there is a combination of strong legislation, public awareness, institutional readiness, and technical responsibility. By analyzing public opinions, levels of awareness, and reporting behavior in incidents of online abuse, this article investigates the socio-legal ramifications of digital media on child protection. Examining the persistence of social stigma, fear, inadequate digital literacy, and institutional constraints as they pertain to the execution of child protection legislation, this study takes a doctrinal and socio-legal stance by consulting statutes, court decisions, scholarly articles, and policy reports. The results show that cultural and procedural hurdles are the main causes of under-reporting of online crimes, and that deficits in cyber knowledge make it harder for investigators and prosecutors to cope with these cases. Strong legal enforcement, social sensitization, institutional reform, and more accountability of digital platforms are all necessary for child protection in the digital era, according to the paper's conclusions. This study adds to current discussions about child safety and provides concrete suggestions for how India might better respond to online threats against children by placing the POCSO Act within the larger socio-digital environment.

Keywords: Child Safety, Digital Media, POCSO Act 2012, Online Child Sexual Abuse, Socio-Legal Implications, Reporting Behaviour, Child Protection Laws, Digital Awareness

How to Cite?: Roshan Kumar Gupta, Dr. Khoda Meena, "Socio Legal Implications of Digital Media in Child Safety: Perceptions, Awareness, and Reporting Under Posco 2012", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1348-1352, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26122110328, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26122110328