Punjab’s children are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and radicalization through online gaming platforms, according to a recent webinar organized by the Daat Foundation in collaboration with Indian Defence Company Covints. Experts from psychology, child protection, cybersecurity, anti-human trafficking, and law convened to highlight the burgeoning digital threats facing minors.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the four-hour session aimed to sensitize parents, teachers, and child rights advocates about the severe risks associated with children’s engagement in online gaming environments. Dr. Simranjeet Kaur, who welcomed participants, underscored the detrimental effects of excessive gaming, which can negatively impact a child’s physical health, mental and emotional well-being, social interactions, and academic progress.
Dr. Kaur further elaborated on a disturbing trend where online gaming platforms are being systematically exploited by predators to groom children, luring them into engaging in harmful and illegal activities. She described the digital ecosystem as fostering a “new form of child labor,” where minors invest considerable time and effort into creating and maintaining online gaming content, consequently distancing themselves from real-world learning and developmental opportunities.
The webinar, moderated by Shubro Samanto, featured a panel of experts who shared critical insights. Dr. Shaveta Bhardwaj, a psychologist, detailed how predators manipulate and exploit children through digital interfaces. She emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive home environment where children feel heard and encouraged parents to promote healthy boundaries, physical activities, and real-world hobbies to ensure children find fulfillment outside of purely digital engagement.
Swapnil Kishore, CEO of Covints, a cybersecurity and anti-human trafficking expert, provided an in-depth analysis of how online gaming platforms are increasingly utilized by perpetrators to target children. He outlined various grooming techniques and issued stern warnings regarding the misuse of these digital spaces for trafficking, manipulation, and other exploitative purposes, also touching upon the influence of dark psychology on vulnerable adolescents.
Dr. Aman Sharma, State Consultant (Child Protection) for UNICEF Bihar, addressed the escalating misuse of digital platforms for human trafficking, financial fraud, and other criminal activities, including fake marriages. Through detailed case studies, he illustrated the methodologies employed by offenders and stressed the paramount importance of establishing safe digital environments at home and maintaining consistent communication between parents and children. He also advocated for schools to integrate digital safety education and awareness programs for parents.
Offering a legal perspective, Advocate Tabish Ahmad of the Patna High Court discussed the growing involvement of children and adolescents in cyber-enabled financial crimes, particularly through the use of mule accounts. He explained that young individuals are frequently enticed into illegal activities without fully comprehending the ramifications. He highlighted awareness and early intervention as crucial measures for protecting children from becoming either victims or unwitting participants in cybercrime.
Throughout the webinar, experts collectively voiced apprehension regarding the rising incidence of cybercrimes targeting children. They stressed the immediate necessity for preventive measures, enhanced public awareness campaigns, and the strengthening of child protection mechanisms within the digital sphere. The discussions highlighted that online gaming environments, often perceived as recreational, are becoming significant hunting grounds for malicious actors.
Concluding the session, Dr. Simranjeet Kaur called for a unified, collaborative strategy that involves parents, educational institutions, educators, non-governmental organizations, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers to effectively ensure the safety of children in online spaces. She cautioned parents, stating, “If you feel safe leaving your child alone in a crowd of millions that includes predators and paedophiles, then you can allow your child to play online games. Every parent must understand that online gaming is not just a game, it is a virtual world where anyone can interact with a child.”
Dr. Kaur further emphasized that preventative measures remain the most effective approach to safeguarding children and urged authorities to enhance cybercrime investigations involving minors through a child-sensitive methodology. The webinar marked the commencement of the Daat Foundation’s comprehensive campaign, “Digitally Safe Childhood,” which aims to bolster child protection systems and foster safer digital environments for children across India.
The Chenab Times News Desk