Criminal Protection of Children against Online Abuses in Iran and UK Regulations and International Documents

Empirical data show that increasingly children are engaging in online activities. Children and youths use electronic technology such as the Internet more than any other medium through which to communicate and socialize. Many children lack experience and knowledge of the implications and practices related to information and communication technologies, then the phenomenon of cyber abuses from children's and youths' perspectives has become a common concern in the international community as a whole. Findings revealed the regularity and importance of the Internet and communication technology for socialization; the forms, extent, and impact of cyber abuse; and children' fear of disclosing cyber abuse to adults, particularly parents. So the role of the states and international organizations in this relation is vital to protect the children from the online abuses and the criminalization of online abuses of children is one of the protective and important measures. Iranian lawmaker criminalizes dissemination of pornographic contents and private pictures, also training and facilitating these crimes in cyberspace. English Law and international documents criminalize possessing, distributing, sharing or making pornographic images of a child is an offense. Therefore, the lack of specific protection for children and precise distinction between these types of acts committed in the Iranian legal system are felt. It will lead to many lawsuits concerning child labor, child crimes and privacy violation in the future.