Published Paper Details:

Children's online safety has become a critical national concern as the digital environment exposes them to cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, financial fraud, and harmful content. This paper examines the pivotal role of police in safeguarding children from online crime at the national level. It analyses the preventive, investigative, and response-oriented functions of law enforcement agencies in addressing cyber offences against children. The study explores the national legal and policy frameworks--such as the Information Technology Act, BNS, 2023, POCSO Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme--that guide police actions in digital child protection. The abstract further highlights the essential coordination between national police bodies, cyber forensic units, social media platforms, child welfare organizations, and educational institutions in effectively combating online threats. It also discusses the emerging challenges faced by law enforcement, including rapid technological changes, resource limitations, capacity-building needs, encrypted platforms, and darknet-based exploitation. Finally, the paper outlines effective national-level strategies and best practices adopted by the police to strengthen online child safety, enhance digital resilience, and improve protection outcomes across the country.