The internet was supposed to open doors to learning and connection. But for millions of Indian children, it’s also exposing them to the darker corners of the digital world.
A new nationwide survey by LocalCircles, conducted across 302 districts, reveals that 1 in 2 parents of children aged 9–17 have confirmed that their kids were either exposed to inappropriate content or faced online bullying, harassment, or trolling in the past year.
The findings arrive amid renewed public concern after several tragic incidents involving teenagers addicted to online games and social media.
The report underscores an urgent reality: India’s digital generation is growing up online, but without the safety nets needed to protect them.
A childhood under digital siege
The survey of over 89,000 urban parents found that 54 per cent said their children had encountered adult or inappropriate content, while 46 per cent said their kids were subjected to bullying or trolling.
Alarmingly, nearly half (46 per cent) also reported incidents involving AI-based photo or video morphing, while 39 per cent cited harassment or abuse from strangers.
These experiences aren’t just unpleasant; they’re leaving deep scars.
One in two parents whose child faced such online aggression reported signs of emotional withdrawal, anger, anxiety, and fear. More than 60 per cent noticed rising aggression or irritability in their children, while many observed sleep problems, mood swings, and reduced concentration.
Social media and gaming are at the heart of the problem
According to the survey, three-quarters (75 per cent) of parents believe that social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and BeReal pose the highest risk for harassment and exploitation.
Gaming platforms followed close behind, with 52 per cent citing in-game chats as a breeding ground for abuse. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram were also flagged by 42 per cent of respondents.
The problem, parents say, isn’t just exposure; it’s the lack of recourse. A staggering 82 per cent of those surveyed described reporting harmful content or harassment to platforms or authorities as “difficult, slow, and unclear.”
Only 8 per cent found the process effective.
Frustrated by the lack of accountability, over 75 per cent of parents now want the government to impose time-bound responses on social media and gaming platforms for child safety complaints. Many also called for a single national helpline and stronger penalties for platforms that ignore child protection issues.
A growing call for action
India has introduced new provisions under the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, requiring parental consent for minors’ social media accounts. Some states, like Andhra Pradesh and Goa, are even considering bans on social media use for those under 16. But implementation remains a challenge, especially for existing accounts created with falsified ages.
Experts argue that regulation alone won’t suffice. True safety, they say, will come from digital literacy, parental involvement, and rapid response systems that can intervene before online harm turns into real-world tragedy.
As India joins the world in observing Safer Internet Day, the LocalCircles study is a stark reminder that the promise of the digital age must not come at the cost of children’s well-being. The internet may be a playground of possibilities, but without protection, it can just as easily become a danger zone.
