Amid increasing concerns over online safety, India has emerged as the leader on a global digital well-being index, scoring 67 out of 100. This score reflects strong trust and support between parents and teenagers, according to a report by Snap Inc.
India leads in online satisfaction, with 58% of respondents expressing contentment with their digital experiences, compared to 53% in the US and 42% in the UK. The report highlights that Indian youth benefit from the strongest support networks, having 9 to 12 sources of guidance, such as parents, teachers, and mentors.
The report also notes that 78% of Indian Gen Z users sought support from others, up from 65% in 2023. Parental engagement has increased, with 70% of parents regularly checking their teens’ online activities, up from 62% in 2023.
Despite these positive trends, Indian Gen Z users reported the highest rates of online threats, including sextortion and grooming. Approximately 71% of Indian Gen Z respondents said they had been targeted for sextortion, with 55% falling victim. Additionally, 77% reported losing control of intimate images they shared, with 80% of these cases involving minors aged 13-17. Furthermore, 60% of respondents experienced grooming, with over half being minors.
Another major concern is the lack of awareness about the legal implications of sharing explicit content involving minors. The report found that 52% of respondents wrongly believed that not reporting such content was legal, the highest percentage among all surveyed countries. Additionally, 36% believed it was legal to share and view such images, while 39% thought storing them online was lawful.
The findings underscore the need for increased education and awareness about online safety and the legal ramifications of sharing explicit content involving minors. The strong support networks and increasing parental engagement are positive steps, but more efforts are required to address the high rates of online threats faced by Indian Gen Z users.
