Innocent Child World Pt 1: Child Safety

In today’s world, we imagine our children are safe. They’re at home, near us, shielded from harm. Yet the reality is more complex. During the pandemic and beyond, children’s freedom to roam, play and connect has been restricted. The backyard that once felt safe may still hide unseen dangers. Society’s structure has evolved, and the sense of open trust we once had in neighbourhoods and communities feels different now.

Decades ago, children could play freely in campus grounds, in village courtyards, or in shared community spaces. With fewer vehicles, less chaos, and simpler routines, fear was minimal. I remember university days when we brothers and sisters wandered across the campus without worry. That kind of uninhibited childhood is hard to come by now.

Today, parents find themselves vigilant. A play-field outside the gate, the society watchman’s vigilance, the safety of school bus and cabs all loom large in the mind of a parent. We worry constantly: is my child safe? Will someone protect them? Even if we cannot change the world overnight, constant concern isn’t enough. We need action.

Modern family structures have shifted. Many children belong to nuclear families with both parents working, grandparents not always around. Meanwhile smartphones and screens have entered children’s hands early. The digital world opens avenues, but also exposes children to content far beyond their years, explicit, unsafe, even harmful. When we discover a disturbing app or video on our child’s phone, panic sets in.

Incidents of child-sexual abuse and exploitation have only increased in visibility and severity. The case in Delhi and other regions shocks our conscience. When we see posts of children holding signs like “Parents, save us”, we cannot stay silent. The fairy-tale world children live in needs a dose of the stark reality of today.

If we truly want to protect our children, first we must understand what sexual education is and when, how and where it should start. Parents and teachers must grasp what is natural, what isn’t, and respond in age-appropriate ways. If we ignore a child’s curiosity about their body or the world around them, we send a subtle message: “This topic is forbidden.” That can build shame. When children sense avoidance, they might stop asking questions altogether.

In the next blog instalment, we will explore how and when parents and teachers should begin these conversations with children offering practical guidance for different age groups. Let’s move from fear to empowerment. Let’s rebuild a childhood that is both innocent and safe.

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ChikuPiku is the Best Marathi Magazine for kids! We create fun stories, poems, and activities just for young readers. Each month, there’s a new theme to explore in our Marathi kids magazine. With sections like Science सैर, Nature & मी and हातांची जादू, children can learn through engaging content and their creativity also gets a boost!In addition to our magazine, we offer a fantastic collection of Marathi Audio Stories that make learning even more enjoyable. With over 365 audio stories for kids, children can listen to their favorite tales anytime. Whether it’s bedtime stories in Marathi or during mealtime, travel-time, our audio stories for kids are the best companions.