In a significant move, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned YouTube’s head of public policy and government affairs, Mira Chatt, over the alleged portrayal of potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons on the platform. The commission has expressed serious concerns about the potential harm this trend could inflict on children’s well-being and safety.
In a letter dated January 10, Priyank Kanoongo, the head of NCPCR, has requested Chatt’s physical presence at the statutory body’s office. Failure to comply with this request may result in penalties or other appropriate legal actions against YouTube India.
The child rights body has raised alarm about an alarming trend on YouTube channels, where potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons are being portrayed. These videos, often classified as ‘challenge videos,’ reportedly depict inappropriate interactions, including kisses, between mothers and adolescent sons.
The NCPCR has emphasized that these videos violate the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. As a statutory government body tasked with the protection of child rights, NCPCR is taking a firm stance against such content.
In the official letter addressed to Chatt, NCPCR chief Kanoongo highlighted the commission’s concerns and requested a comprehensive list of all channels featuring content of this nature, along with details about the channels running such content.
This development coincides with earlier notices issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in October to multiple social media platforms, including YouTube. The notices directed them to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from their websites, warning of strict action for non-compliance, including the withdrawal of safe harbour protections.
In response, YouTube has claimed not to have detected any CSAM on the platform despite multiple and thorough probes. A spokesperson for YouTube stated, “We have a long history of successfully fighting child exploitation on YouTube. Based on multiple thorough investigations, we did not detect CSAM on our platform, nor did we receive examples or evidence of CSAM on YouTube from regulators.”
The streaming giant also reiterated its policy against any form of content that endangers minors, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a safe and secure online environment for all users.
