Date: 14 to 15 December 2018
Venue: Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
The International Conference on Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Digital Era, held on 14–15 December 2018 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata, brought together policymakers, law enforcement agencies, technology companies, child rights organisations, researchers, and international experts to address one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: the protection of children from online sexual exploitation and abuse.
Hosted by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR), the conference served as a multidisciplinary platform to strengthen cooperation among governments, civil society, academia, the technical community, and the private sector in developing effective strategies for preventing and responding to online child sexual abuse. The event featured participation from globally recognised organisations, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Meta (Facebook), child protection agencies, cybersecurity professionals, and legal experts, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in combating transnational cybercrime.
Anupam Agrawal, representing the India Internet Foundation (IIFON), participated in the conference, contributing to discussions on the role of Internet technologies, technical standards, and Internet governance in strengthening child online protection. His participation reflected the growing importance of engaging the Internet technical community in addressing digital safety challenges through collaborative, multistakeholder approaches.
The conference examined the evolving nature of online child sexual exploitation, including the misuse of social media platforms, encrypted communication services, anonymous online networks, and emerging digital technologies. Expert sessions explored mechanisms for improving cyber investigations, digital evidence collection, cross-border law enforcement cooperation, online platform responsibility, victim protection, and policy development. Discussions also highlighted the need for stronger awareness programmes, capacity building, and the adoption of technology-enabled safeguards to create safer online environments for children.
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of balancing innovation, privacy, and digital rights with effective child protection measures. Participants emphasised that addressing online exploitation requires coordinated action involving governments, technology providers, Internet governance organisations, educational institutions, and civil society.
By participating in this international forum, Anupam Agrawal reinforced the importance of integrating Internet governance, cybersecurity, and digital policy with child protection initiatives. The conference strengthened dialogue among global stakeholders and reaffirmed the shared commitment to building a safer, more secure, and more responsible digital ecosystem for children and young Internet users worldwide.