Nine out of 10 Cybercrimes against children linked to sexually explicit content: NCRB Data

Crimes against children in India rose by 5.8 per cent in 2024 despite an overall decline in crime rates across the country, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data analysed by CRY – Child Rights and You.
The NCRB recorded 1,87,702 crimes against children in 2024, up from 1,77,335 cases in 2023. Over the past four years, crimes against children increased by more than 46 per cent, while overall crimes in the country declined by 10.8 per cent.
The data revealed growing concern over cyber sexual exploitation of children. Of the 1,238 cybercrime cases against children registered under the Information Technology Act in 2024, as many as 1,099 cases — nearly nine out of every 10 — involved publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content depicting children.
CRY stated that the findings highlighted the urgent need to prioritise child safety in digital spaces amid increasing online exposure and emerging AI-driven threats.
State-wise data showed that Chhattisgarh recorded the highest number of cybercrimes against children with 268 cases, followed by Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala. Together, these five states accounted for more than 66 per cent of such cases nationwide.
The NCRB data also showed that 69,191 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2024. Girls accounted for 98 per cent of victims in cases related to penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
Children aged between 16 and 18 years constituted the most vulnerable group, with over 23,000 victims recorded in this category alone.
The report further revealed that in 96.6 per cent of POCSO cases, the offenders were known to the victims, including friends, online acquaintances, neighbours, family friends and even relatives.
CRY called for stronger public awareness, improved digital literacy, faster justice delivery and stricter action against perpetrators to curb the rising trend of crimes against children both online and offline.