In light of a significant rise in cybercrime targeting women and children, a parliamentary committee has urged the government to conduct a structured and time-sensitive assessment for the creation of a “comprehensive and gender-sensitive cybercrime legislation.” The Committee on the Empowerment of Women submitted its findings on “Cyber Crimes and Cyber Safety of Women” to Parliament on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for updated legal frameworks to address these challenges.

Recommendations on Social Media Regulations

The committee has proposed the introduction of age-appropriate regulations and controlled usage limits on social media platforms. This initiative aims to protect children and adolescents from potential psychological harm, alongside establishing standards for responsible digital engagement. The report draws attention to alarming statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which indicate a nearly 239% rise in cybercrime incidents involving women and a substantial increase in cases concerning children from 2017 to 2022, highlighting the severity of the issue.

Crisis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) reveals that more than 248,000 complaints regarding cyber offenses against women and children were reported between 2019 and April 2025. The committee, chaired by BJP Lok Sabha MP Dr D Purandeswari, noted that the escalating number of complaints signifies both heightened awareness and increased institutional efforts. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the problem of under-reporting, attributed to factors such as fear, societal stigma, and a lack of digital literacy, especially among rural women, young girls, and economically disadvantaged groups.

Input from Various Stakeholders

The committee’s recommendations are informed by insights from several entities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Cyber Peace Foundation, cyber experts from C-DAC, and social media platforms like Google and Meta. Currently, cyber offenses impacting women and children are managed through a variety of legal frameworks, including the Information Technology Act of 2000, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita of 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986.

Need for a Unified Cybercrime Legislation

The report argues that while these existing provisions encompass a broad range of offenses, their scattered nature often leads to overlapping jurisdiction, interpretative issues, inconsistent enforcement, and procedural delays. In this context, the committee asserts the necessity of a comprehensive cybercrime law that harmonizes and supports existing statutes without abruptly displacing them.

Accountability Standards for Digital Platforms

The committee further emphasized that digital platforms, particularly those associated with social media, messaging, and hosting services, must adhere to elevated accountability standards. It strongly recommends implementing mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for all social media, dating, and gaming applications to mitigate issues related to fake profiles, impersonation, and anonymous harassment. The report insists on the need for periodic re-verification of accounts that are frequently reported for abuse and urges that stringent licensing norms and age verification protocols be instituted for these platforms, alongside penalties for those that fail to safeguard women and minors from fraudulent or coercive practices.

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