Nearly 70% of cybercrimes registered against children in Andhra Pradesh in 2024 involved Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), highlighting the continuing threat of online sexual exploitation of minors.
An analysis of National Crime Records Bureau data found that Andhra Pradesh ranked among the leading states in the country for such offences.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
How Many Cybercrimes Against Children Were Recorded?
Andhra Pradesh registered 55 cybercrime cases against children in 2024. While the number was lower than the peak of 124 cases recorded in 2022, it remained considerably higher than the seven cases reported in 2017.
Nationally, cybercrimes targeting children have increased sharply over the longer term. The number of cases rose from 88 in 2017 to 1,753 in 2024, with CSAM-related offences expanding 157-fold across India during the period.
How Many Cases Were Linked to CSAM?
Of the 55 cybercrime cases involving children recorded in Andhra Pradesh in 2024, 38 fell under NCRB’s category of cyber pornography and publishing obscene sexual material depicting children.
The figures indicate that online sexual exploitation remained the most prominent cyber threat facing minors in the state.
What Other Cybercrimes Targeted Children?
The remaining offences included seven cases of cyber stalking and bullying, two cases of cyber blackmailing or harassment, and eight cases categorised under other child cybercrimes.
The figures show that risks faced by children online extend beyond sexual exploitation and include harassment, intimidation and other forms of digital abuse.
Which Districts Recorded the Most CSAM Cases?
District-level figures showed that CSAM offences were concentrated along the coastal belt. Nellore recorded nine cases, while Kakinada reported eight.
Together, the two districts accounted for 45% of the CSAM cases recorded in Andhra Pradesh. East Godavari and Krishna reported four cases each, followed by Kurnool and Nandyal with three cases each. Eluru recorded two cases, while five other districts registered one case each.
Where Does Andhra Pradesh Rank Nationally?
Andhra Pradesh ranked 11th in the country for total cybercrimes against children, accounting for 3% of the national total.
The state-level findings come against a broader national rise in child-targeted cyber offences, with the increase in CSAM-related cases forming a significant part of the trend.
What Is Being Done to Improve Online Safety?
The findings were released as the state launched the “Ting Tong” public campaign to encourage safer digital behaviour among children, parents and educators.
The “Ting Tong” campaign uses a phone notification as a warning and encourages users to pause before sharing content online.
The campaign also aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s proposals for age-restricted social media access for children under 16 through DigiLocker age tokens.
The state has also deployed “AP Cyber Guard”, while integrating digital monitoring into the SHAKTI architecture linked with the 1098 Child Helpline.
What Should Parents and Children Keep in Mind?
The figures underline the need for children, parents and educators to treat online safety seriously. Children should be encouraged to speak about uncomfortable or harmful online experiences without fear, while adults should remain attentive to cyberbullying, harassment and inappropriate sexual material involving minors.
Early reporting can help ensure that digital harm is brought to the attention of responsible authorities.
The420 Takeaway: “Online Safety Must Begin Before Harm Happens”
With CSAM accounting for nearly 70% of cybercrimes against children in Andhra Pradesh, prevention cannot depend only on action after an offence occurs.
Safer digital habits, greater awareness of online risks and regular conversations about what children encounter on the internet can play an important role in reducing their exposure to harmful content and interactions.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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