STATE-WISE TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF CYBERCRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN IN INDIA: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF NCRB DATA FROM 2017 TO 2021

Dr Pradip Kumar Kashyap

Dr Pradip Kumar Kashyap Assistant Professor, CGC University, Mohali

Keywords: cybercrime against children, National Crime Records Bureau, child online safety, cybersecurity, India

Abstract

Cybercrimes against children have emerged as a major public safety and child protection concern due to the rapid expansion of digital technologies and online communication. Understanding temporal and regional patterns of these offences is essential for developing effective prevention and policy strategies. This study aimed to examine state-wise trends, geographical distribution, offence patterns, and the relationship between child population and reported cybercrime cases against children in India. Methods: A quantitative retrospective analysis was conducted using secondary data obtained from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) covering all Indian States and Union Territories from 2017 to 2021. Descriptive statistics, trend analysis, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression were performed to evaluate temporal changes and determinants of reported cybercrime cases. A total of 3,103 cybercrime cases against children were reported during the study period, increasing from 88 cases in 2017 to 1,376 cases in 2021. Cyber pornography and obscene material constituted the largest offence category (59.94%), followed by other cybercrimes (26.94%). Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka accounted for more than half of all reported cases. Child population showed a significant positive association with reported cybercrime cases (p < 0.001), although the regression model explained only 15.88% of the observed variation. The findings demonstrate a substantial increase in cybercrimes against children in India and underscore the need for strengthened legal enforcement, digital literacy initiatives, child-centred cyber safety policies, and coordinated institutional responses to address emerging online threats.

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