The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned the head of government affairs and public policy at YouTube India, Mira Chatt, to appear before it on January 15. The NCPCR expressed concerns over indecent content involving mothers and sons on the video-sharing platform and requested a list of channels associated with such content.
In a letter addressed to Mira Chatt, Priyank Kanoongo, the chief of NCPCR, highlighted an alarming trend on YouTube channels featuring challenges that depict potentially indecent acts between mothers and sons. The commission took cognizance of these “challenge videos,” which reportedly showcase inappropriate acts, such as kisses, between mothers and adolescent sons.
According to sources, these videos violate the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Priyank Kanoongo emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the commercialization of such videos is akin to selling porn. He asserted that platforms featuring videos depicting child sexual abuse are liable to face legal consequences, including imprisonment for offenders.
In an interview with India Today TV, Kanoongo remarked, “YouTube will have to fix this. Offenders will have to go to jail. The commercialization of such videos is like selling porn. Any platform which features videos where children have been sexually abused will have to go to jail.”
The NCPCR’s move comes in response to the growing concerns surrounding inappropriate content on digital platforms, especially when it involves minors. The commission aims to address the issue by holding YouTube accountable and ensuring the removal of content that violates child protection laws.
This is not the first time social media platforms have faced scrutiny over inappropriate content. Such incidents have sparked debates on the need for stricter regulations and effective content moderation practices to safeguard users, especially minors, from exposure to harmful and explicit material.
YouTube, as one of the leading video-sharing platforms globally, has a responsibility to ensure that its content aligns with legal and ethical standards. The NCPCR’s summoning of YouTube India’s representative indicates the growing demand for accountability and the importance of actively addressing issues related to child safety on digital platforms.
As the matter unfolds, it remains to be seen how YouTube India will respond to the NCPCR’s concerns and what measures will be taken to prevent the dissemination of inappropriate content involving mothers and sons. The case highlights the broader challenges faced by online platforms in striking a balance between freedom of expression and protecting vulnerable users, especially children, from potentially harmful content.
