Professional Female Students in the Digital Age: Cybercrime, Child Abuse Impacts, and Online Justice Quest

Abstract As the digital landscape continues to expand, cybercrimes—particularly those involving child sexual abuse—are escalating at an alarming rate. This study investigates the preparedness of professional female students to engage with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, in promoting online safety and justice in the digital era. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Fred D. Davis, the research explores how Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) shape perceptions of digital safety and legal responsiveness within the POCSO framework. By making use of moderation variables such as geography and profession, this study incorporates the emerging body of literature that interconnects technology acceptance with professional female students and legal participation in digitally emerging society. Employing a descriptive and exploratory research design, the study utilized a quantitative approach, surveying a stratified sample of 420 professional female students from various districts in Kerala through a customized TAM-based questionnaire. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) confirmed the significance of the identified variables and yielded a predictive model with an R² value exceeding the required number. Findings reveal that professional students from rural areas and those with lower technological proficiency are less engaged with the Act’s implementation and digital protective mechanisms. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted policy reforms, enhanced legal frameworks, and inclusive support systems. It offers actionable recommendations to stakeholders aimed at strengthening digital safety and legal awareness among students, especially professional students.