The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act serves as a crucial legal framework that criminalizes the creation, storage, sharing, and transmission of child pornography. Previously, under Section 15, possessing child pornography was an offense only if there was intent to share or distribute the content, targeting those primarily involved in the commercial or widespread distribution of such material.
Recently, the Supreme Court has broadened the interpretation of possession under the POCSO Act. This expansion now includes not only the act of storing or sharing but also viewing or failing to report child pornography. Key changes enacted by the Court include:
The strengthened laws under the POCSO Act broaden the scope of accountability, ensuring that merely accessing or ignoring the presence of child pornography can result in serious legal consequences. The Supreme Court’s decision illustrates a stricter approach to protecting children from online exploitation. The enhanced legal framework reinforces the importance of vigilance and accountability in the fight against child exploitation.
Q1. What does the POCSO Act entail regarding child pornography?
Answer: The POCSO Act criminalizes the creation, storage, sharing, and transmission of child pornography, emphasizing accountability for possession, viewing, and failure to report.
Q2. How has the Supreme Court impacted child pornography laws?
Answer: The Supreme Court expanded the definition of possession to include viewing child pornography and imposed penalties for failing to report such material.
Q3. What are the penalties under the POCSO Act for child pornography offenses?
Answer: Penalties can range from fines to imprisonment for up to five years, depending on the severity of the offense related to child pornography.
Q4. Is merely viewing child pornography now a punishable offense?
Answer: Yes, according to the recent Supreme Court ruling, simply viewing child pornography without downloading it is now considered a punishable offense.
Q5. What should I do if I encounter child pornography?
Answer: It is your legal obligation to report any instance of child pornography to the authorities immediately to avoid potential legal repercussions.
Question 1: What does the POCSO Act primarily address?
A) Child labor
B) Child pornography
C) Juvenile justice
D) Child trafficking
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which of the following actions is now considered a punishable offense under the POCSO Act?
A) Sharing child pornography
B) Viewing child pornography
C) Creating child pornography
D) Storing child pornography
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How long can imprisonment last for severe offenses related to child pornography under the POCSO Act?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 10 years
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What is required of individuals who encounter child pornography?
A) They must ignore it
B) They must report it
C) They must delete it
D) They must share it
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What was the previous requirement for possession of child pornography under the POCSO Act?
A) Intent to share
B) Intent to delete
C) Intent to create
D) Intent to store
Correct Answer: A
Question 6: Which legal body expanded the interpretation of child pornography possession?
A) The High Court
B) The Supreme Court
C) The District Court
D) The Family Court
Correct Answer: B
Question 7: What is one of the key responsibilities placed on individuals regarding child pornography?
A) To view it cautiously
B) To report it
C) To discuss it
D) To ignore it
Correct Answer: B
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