As children spend increasing hours online, concerns around their digital safety are intensifying. A new survey released around Safer Internet Day has revealed that one in two urban parents in India say their children aged 9 to 17 have been exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or online harassment. The findings, based on responses from tens of thousands of parents across the country, underline growing risks across social media platforms, OTT apps, and online gaming environments.
The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, found that 50 per cent of urban parents confirmed their children had encountered harmful videos, abusive messages, or social media harassment, often without adequate moderation or warning. Over the past year, several incidents have highlighted the serious dangers children face online, including cases where adults used gaming platforms and social media to befriend minors, leading to abduction and sexual assault.
One such case involved a 16-year-old girl in Ahmedabad who was allegedly lured via the online game Free Fire by an adult she met virtually. She was later kidnapped and raped before being rescued through coordinated efforts by family members, local police, and railway authorities. Similar incidents have been reported in Kerala, where police charged 14 individuals with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy whom they befriended online.
The survey also flagged a sharp rise in digital sexual abuse material. In 2025 alone, Delhi Police’s Special Police Unit for Women and Children registered 60 FIRs related to child pornography after receiving hundreds of leads from international agencies such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Screen time remains a major concern. Nearly 49 per cent of parents said their children spend three hours or more daily on social media, OTT platforms, or online games, with many exceeding six hours. Parents link excessive screen exposure to behavioural issues such as aggression, impatience, hyperactivity, and reduced attention spans.
Cyberbullying has emerged as one of the most distressing online threats. Many children hesitate to report harassment due to fear of embarrassment or retaliation. Experts warn that unchecked digital abuse can lead to anxiety, isolation, and long-term psychological distress. Alarmingly, 82 per cent of parents surveyed said reporting online bullying or harmful content is difficult, slow, or lacks clarity, with many unaware of any effective reporting mechanisms.
Parents identified multiple factors contributing to excessive online engagement: 28 per cent said devices were introduced too early, 26 per cent blamed online schooling, 13 per cent cited peer pressure, and 31 per cent admitted children mirror their parents’ screen habits. While a small number believe online exposure has social benefits, most parents feel the risks outweigh the positives.
A strong demand for regulation has emerged from the findings. Nearly 73 per cent of parents want mandatory parental consent for under-18 users on social media, gaming, and OTT platforms. About half support Aadhaar-based age verification, even for existing accounts. Many parents are also calling for time-bound responses from platforms and authorities, with over 75 per cent urging the government to mandate swift action on child safety complaints.
As India joins several countries in marking Safer Internet Day, the survey underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards, clearer accountability, and faster enforcement to protect children under 17 from long-term psychological and behavioural harm in the digital space.
