Delhi HC Delivers a Wake-Up Call. Why We Need to Teach Kids About “Virtual Touch”.  Is Your Child Safe Online?

The dark side of Digital World. The rise of ‘Virtual Touch’ and the need for Immediate action

The High Court of Delhi, vide its recent judgement, has drawn the whole nation’s attention to an essential but often unnoticed factor in the life of a minor, i.e. “virtual touch. “This term might not yet have a legal meaning, but this is an excellent step towards accepting the digital-based crimes committed against the children of today. 

The Delhi High Court’s mention of virtual touch alongside the traditional address’ ‘good or bad touch’ to children creates an awareness in children’s minds. This statement highlights that technology has become a crucial issue because keeping children safe from the digital world is now becoming challenging. Therefore, they are equipped with the necessary skills to do it safely. 

What is “Virtual Touch”?

“Virtual touch” is a term used to describe an interaction that occurs when a person whose face-to-face contact is targeted is contacted at a distance through digital platforms to engage in sexual acts or to engage in online sexual behaviour, i. e between adult and minor or among several other minors. It involves the representation of behaviours such as online abuse, the exchange of sexually explicit messages, and cyberbullying. Virtual touch denotes that the meaningful touch, close to the typical physical contact, is simulated in the digital space. 

Why is Virtual Touch a concern?

Historically, safeguarding children has been based on approaching “good touch” and “bad touch” – an apparent separation between acceptable and unacceptable physical contact. As social media and different online platforms become the gateways to minors for abusers, it has become a new tool for their target and subsequent ways of finding and approaching them. 

Online platforms make predators feel safe and allow them to devise various plans, accompanied by anonymity, making them hide their true identity and engage in destructive activities. Lastly, the simple fact of availability, affordability, and the total absence of regulation make the usage of these technologies accessible to initiate and propagate the” virtual touch” phenomenon. 

This can happen in various forms:

• Explicit content: Occasional or relatively frequent viewing of sexually explicit images or videos, as well as reading sexually suggestive materials. 
• Grooming: There are cases of internet predators who are good at establishing connections and getting control over the minor abusively. 
• Sexting: Participating in a phone call or sending out a photo or a text with explicit sexual content. 
• Cyberbullying: All the cyberbullying, insults, or verbal abuse carried out online. 
• Inappropriate comments: By propositioning or making sexually inappropriate verbal input. 

These seemingly not-so-consequential actions that might not seem to matter much sometimes might have the gravest implications on a child psychically. They can have a range of feelings, such as fear, shame, and confusion, which in turn could affect their mental well-being, i.e. lead to depression or anxiety. Alongside, online predatory behaviour like solicitation, sextortion and human trafficking can be seen as a gateway to these more severe crimes. 

How do predators use “Virtual touch”?

Predators have an unpredictable life online, almost like sneaky wolves. The hackers may be looking for spots where teenage kids may hang out, such as games and chat rooms. These people might use fake profiles to look fantastic or genuine and get the attention of desired individuals you want. They begin with chatting and flirting, but later, they insist that you feel upset and afraid if you don’t obey them. 

Here’s how they might trick you: 

1. Be your “friend”: They dialogue and joke with you like they are your friends, but later, you will discover that they want to make you feel like they care. 
2. Slowly get closer: First, they transform into friendly talks; later, you start getting things that make you nauseous. 
3. Make you feel alone: They could do it so you wouldn’t be able to share problems with your parents. 
4. Threaten or blackmail: They might threaten you by telling your family members about a lousy secret you have.  It can make you keep doing things you don’t want to. 

How Can Adolescents Be Kept Safe? Minors or adolescents are sometimes referred to as individuals between the ages of 13 and 17 (depending on the country).  Throughout this period, they are transforming physically, cognitively, and holistically, causing them to be the most susceptible group to online exploitation and manipulation. 

For minors, “virtual touch” education also entails teaching them about acceptable online communication, signals of the predator’s presence, and, regardless of privacy settings, the understanding of online limits. It can be achieved through This can be achieved through:

1. Digital Literacy: Teaching children the dangers of the web and how they should be dealt with appropriately is necessary. 

2. Online Safety: The best way to teach students to set privacy settings, use strong passwords, and never share their personal information online. 

3. Cyberbullying Prevention: Students between the ages of 12-18 should know about cyberbullying, including how to report bullying. 

4. Predator issues: Educating minors on predators’ techniques and how to detect and escape them applies to the situation.

Past Incidents 

The “Catfishing” Case: 

In 2012, a 15-year-old girl was lured into a relationship with a 35-year-old man who posed as a teenager online. The man used fake profiles and manipulated the girl into sending explicit photos and videos. This case highlights the importance of educating minors about the dangers of online relationships and the need for them to verify the identities of their online contacts.

The “Sexting” Case: 

In 2019, a 14-year-old boy was arrested for distributing explicit photos of a 13-year-old girl. The girl had sent the pictures to the boy, who then shared them with his friends. This case illustrates the risks associated with sexting and the need for minors to understand the legal and emotional consequences of sharing explicit content online.

Few things that parents and educators can teach children are: 

Have Open Conversations

Teachers, parents and other educational bodies should seminars and debates where youth can ask questions and have guidance on the safety precautions to take online and how to manage Internet risks. 

Monitor Online Activity

Parent’s and educators should be focused on monitoring minors’ online activities to ensure they are not abusing their position.

Provide Digital Literacy Training

Digital literacy education is essential for parents and educators not to teach minors but to provide them with the tools they need to deal with the digital world safely. 

Report Incidents

Parents and teachers must learn to be responsible, be mindful of such cases as other forms of online abuse (virtual touch), and report them to the authorities immediately. 

Privacy Settings

Show the kids how to configure privacy settings on social networking sites and apps so that it could prevent destructive content, still some inappropriate content and interactions. 

Parental Controls

Parental control features on devices and internet connections can filter inappropriate content and limit screen time to prevent excessive exposure to the digital environment. 

The Delhi High Court’s decision to stress that young people need to be educated about “virtual touch” should ring parent’s bells and educators. It underlines that the techno-impact on children’s lives is not a joke anymore,e and they need to be fully equipped with all the necessary skills to manoeuvre the digital world safely. By informing minors about “virtual touch”, we can be able to avoid the online exploitation of children and guarantee their security in the digital era.

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Viewpoint

The rise of “virtual touch” is a stark reminder of the need for a comprehensive approach to online safety. While educating minors about “virtual touch” is crucial, it is equally important to address the root causes of online exploitation, such as the lack of regulation and the ease of access to digital platforms. 

Additionally, there is a need for greater awareness and education among parents and educators about the risks associated with the internet and how to prevent online exploitation.

The concept of “virtual touch” is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. By educating minors about “virtual touch” and addressing the root causes of online exploitation, we can work towards creating a safer digital environment for all.