The changes made in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, by the centre have finally led to a proper definition of child pornography. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, child pornography is defined as “any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child which includes photographs, videos, digital or computer generated image indistinguishable from an actual child and an image created, adapted or modified but appear to depict a child.” The punishment under the new amended Act is also more severe for depicting a child or children in any pornographic content. A minimum of five years’ jail, with a fine, is imposed after the first conviction. The amendment imposes a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, with a fine for subsequent convictions.
What is child pornography? What is the punishment for displaying such pornographic content?
