Delhi HC Calls For Inclusion Of 'Virtual Touch' Education In Curriculum To Safeguard Minors From Potential Online Dangers

A bail plea was filed by the petitioner who was accused of involvement in the kidnapping and exploitation of a 16-year-old girl.

A Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stressed the necessity of educating children about 'virtual touch' to address the risks prevalent in the digital sphere. The Court said, “Just as children are taught to exercise caution in the physical world, efforts must be made taken to teach them to develop critical thinking skills to assess the credibility of online contacts and safeguard their personal information.”

Advocate Amit Prasad appeared for the Petitioner and APP Manoj Pant appeared for the Respondents.

The Court observed the challenges posed by the modern virtual world, where teenagers may fall prey to virtual affections, exposing them to risks like human trafficking and other crimes.

Explaining the concept, the Court emphasized that educating minors about 'virtual touch' entails instilling knowledge about appropriate online conduct, identifying signs of potential predatory behavior, and understanding the significance of privacy settings and online boundaries. The Court said, “Moreover, parents, guardians, and educators play a crucial role in fostering digital literacy and promoting responsible online conduct among minors. By fostering open communication channels and providing guidance on navigating the digital landscape, adults can empower children to make informed decisions and protect themselves from online threats.”

The Court added, “The need of the hour in this case is also to send a message through this order/judgment to the concerned stakeholders such as schools and colleges, Delhi State Legal Services Authority as well as Delhi Judicial Academy to hold programs, workshops, and conferences focusing not only on the traditional concepts of ‘Good’ and ‘Bad Touch’ but also on the emerging concept of ‘Virtual Touch’ and its potential dangers. This Court, therefore, emphasizes that the concerned stakeholders should include in their curriculum apart from the education about good touch and bad touch the virtual touch and its repercussions and danger”

The Court denied bail emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.

Cause Title: Kamlesh Devi v. State of NCT of Delhi & Anr., [2024:DHC:3633]

Appearance:

Petitioner: Advocates Amit Prasad, Rajeev Ranjan, Rishikesh Kumar, Ayodhya Prasad, Arpit Tripathi, Chanya Jaitley, Niaz Baldawala, and Kavya Agarwal

Respondents: Additional Public Prosecutor Manoj Pant along with Advocates Saurabh Das, Paramveer, Lalit Kumar, and Ashok Kumar Shukla.

Click here to read/download Judgment