During the inauguration of Cyber Awareness Month, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar bravely shared a concerning personal anecdote that involved his 13-year-old daughter, Nitara Kumar. The incident, which took place a few months prior, sheds light on the serious risks children face in online gaming environments.
Kumar explained that online games often connect players with complete strangers, making it impossible to verify their identities. He recounted how a message popped up during a game, asking Nitara if she was male or female. After she responded that she was female, a subsequent message chillingly asked, ‘Can you send me nude pictures of yours?’ Nitara, displaying remarkable maturity, immediately ended the session and informed her mother, Twinkle Khanna.
The actor emphasized the severe implications of such encounters, stating, “This is how things begin. This is also a part of cybercrime.” He passionately appealed to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, advocating for a dedicated ‘cyber period’ in schools for students in grades seven through ten. Kumar stressed that cybercrime is rapidly escalating and becoming more prevalent than street crime, making it crucial to implement preventative measures and educate young minds on how to navigate the digital world safely.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Director General of Police (Maharashtra) Rashmi Shukla, IPS Iqbal Singh Chahal, and actress Rani Mukerji.