Kerala, the most literate state in the country, has a huge lead over others in the country when it comes to uploading obscene stories and photos on the internet, as per data from the police.
In the year 2012, nearly 25 per cent of cases registered for uploading pornographic materials were from Kerala.
Last year, as many 589 cases were registered in India for uploading lewd videos and images.
Of this, 147 cases were registered in Kerala. Interestingly, in a list of 53 cities having a population of over one lakh, Kollam comes second with 12 cases after Jamshedpur with 17 cases, way ahead of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Southern states including Kerala, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu seem to be turning into hot spots for cyber crime with 1,149 cases under IT act being registered there, out of a total of 2876 cases registered in the country.
Kerala also has a high number of children involved in cyber-crime cases. The police have recorded cases against 15 people under the age of 18 under IT Act. Majority of the cases registered in the state are for using social networks for eve-teasing and harassment.
Officials with the high-tech cell of Kerala police said that compared to 2011, there is a slight increase in cyber crime in 2012. According to them, the highest number of cases are registered for misusing social networking sites.
“The cases registered against children are for misusing social networking sites. Several people use it for taking revenge or breaking up marriages”, police officials said. According to criminologist James Wadakkanchery, the much promoted commuter literacy is now backfiring with a large number people including school children getting involved in cyber crimes.
“If you look at the school students, majority of them would be carrying most advanced mobile phones having internet facilities. In other states, the computer literacy rate is very low compared to Kerala. The parents and teachers should take more responsibility. Parents should not buy mobile phones for minor children. Besides, teachers should take action against the school students who bring mobile phones to school”, he said.