Srinagar, July 2:The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar, has directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Cyber Police Station Srinagar to take immediate steps for the removal of viral social media videos depicting interviews of school-going children, citing concerns over the privacy, safety and welfare of minors.
The direction has been issued in connection with the case involving Fair Voice News, following the circulation of videos showing schoolchildren being interviewed outside their school premises. Some of the children were seen expressing their views on Education Minister Sakina Itoo and issues related to the education system.
According to order issued by the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee Srinagar, Dr. Khair-ul-Nisa, the committee observed that interviewing children on public issues without obtaining informed consent from their parents or legal guardians and without the knowledge or permission of the concerned school authorities raises serious concerns regarding the privacy, dignity, safety and best interests of the children.
“The continued circulation of such videos has the potential to expose the children to public scrutiny, online harassment, misuse of their identity and other forms of harm, contrary to the principles of child protection enshrined in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on media reporting involving children,” the order said.
Invoking its powers under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the CWC has directed the SHO, Cyber Police Station, to immediately identify the social media accounts, URLs and digital platforms hosting or circulating the videos.
The committee has further instructed the Cyber Police to take expeditious steps, in accordance with the law, for the removal or blocking of the videos through the concerned intermediaries and online platforms to safeguard the privacy and welfare of the children.
The Cyber Police has also been asked to examine whether any provisions of law relating to child protection and the misuse of digital platforms have been violated and to proceed in accordance with the law, wherever warranted.
The order further directs the Cyber Police to ensure that the identity, privacy, dignity and best interests of the children are protected throughout the process.
The Child Welfare Committee has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Cyber Police within 48 hours of receipt of the order.
