A Legal And Criminological Analysis Of Online Sexual Harassment: Understanding The Behaviour Of The Accused

ABSTRACT
Fast changes in how people connect through technology have reshaped daily interactions today. Because
of apps and websites, talking across distances feels normal now. These tools help students learn,
companies run, and friends stay close. Still, some misuse them - like using fake trust to harass others
online. New ways to reach people often bring unexpected risks too.
What happens when someone harasses another person using the internet often shows up on apps or sites
where people chat or share things. Messages with sexual content appear unexpectedly, sometimes
alongside images shared without permission. Stalking takes place across message threads that never seem
to stop. Comments filled with sexual insults pop up in replies or posts. Threats of sexual harm arrive
through private notes or public rants.
Aiming to explore online sexual harassment through law and crime studies forms the core of this work.
Looking at what drives those who offend comes before considering how website layouts may encourage
harmful acts. Digital spaces shape behaviour in ways that quietly support abuse, a point often missed.
Laws meant to handle internet crimes in India get reviewed here too, though they sometimes fall short.
What rules exist now must face real patterns of misuse.
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© 2026 IJCRT | Volume 14, Issue 4 April 2026 | ISSN: 2320-2882
Young people today find it easier than ever to reach smartphones and social media. Without strong
checks, kids slip into digital areas meant for older users. Many websites fail to confirm user ages, leaving
gaps that underage visitors quickly fill. These open doors lead straight to risky material and unwanted
attention. Being online without guidance raises the chance of facing abuse. Loose rules mean less
protection when they explore virtual worlds.
One idea from the research points to tighter checks for user ages on social networks. Stopping images of
naked bodies or sexual material before they go live is another step suggested. Platforms could face real
consequences if harmful behavior spreads under their watch. Teaching people how to stay safer online
appears high on the list of fixes. Looking into internet crimes might get more effective with better tools
and training.
Starting fresh, safety online grows when laws adapt, tools improve, while people learn. A mix of updated
rules, better tech defenses, followed by informed users shapes calmer spaces. Protection clicks only if
policy shifts happen alongside software changes, paired with everyday understanding. Without one piece,
progress stalls - each part leans on the others. When law catches up, systems adjust, minds open, risk
drops.