Mumbai NGO Launches AI WhatsApp Chatbot For Child Safety

Mumbai-based NGO Missing Link Trust (MLT) has launched an AI-enabled WhatsApp chatbot called 'Khuli Baat' to promote child safety awareness. The chatbot, developed in collaboration with Capgemini India, aims to provide parents, teachers, and caregivers with information and guidance on child safety, including sexual abuse, online risks, consent, and boundaries.

The initiative was launched at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai by Brijesh Singh, Principal Secretary, Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra. The chatbot is designed to help adults discuss sensitive topics with children and direct them towards relevant support and reporting resources.

According to MLT, the chatbot is part of their prevention programmes across 100 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools in Mumbai's East Ward. The organisation plans to provide safety education to around 10,000 adolescents through school-based programmes while using the chatbot to strengthen awareness among adults responsible for their care.

The chatbot can be accessed on WhatsApp by sending 'Hi' to 6003060040. Leena Kejriwal, Founder Trustee and CEO of Missing Link Trust, said that prevention requires adults to recognise warning signs and respond to children without judgement. She emphasized the importance of adults being able to recognize early signs that something is wrong and knowing what to do about it.

The chatbot draws on more than a decade of the organisation's field experience and uses a curated knowledge base designed with attention to gender, bias, and power dynamics. Kumar Anurag Pratap, Vice President and CSR Head – India at Capgemini, said that increasing digital exposure among children has brought new risks alongside opportunities.

The initiative builds on MLT's Missing Awareness & School Safety Program (MASSp), which works with adolescents on issues including child sexual violence, online safety, grooming, boundaries, disclosure, and help-seeking. The programme aims to provide safety education to adolescents and strengthen awareness among adults responsible for their care.

The launch of the chatbot is a significant step towards promoting child safety awareness in Mumbai. With the rising number of cases of child abuse and exploitation, it is essential to educate adults and children about the importance of child safety. The chatbot is a valuable resource that can help adults and children navigate sensitive topics and access support and reporting resources.

In India, child safety is a significant concern, with 69,191 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2024. The majority of these cases involved people known to the children, highlighting the need for adults to be aware of the warning signs and take action to prevent child abuse.

The launch of the 'Khuli Baat' chatbot is a positive step towards promoting child safety awareness in Mumbai. The initiative has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of children and adults in the city, and it is essential to support and promote such initiatives to create a safer environment for children.

In conclusion, the 'Khuli Baat' chatbot is a valuable resource that can help promote child safety awareness in Mumbai. The initiative is a significant step towards creating a safer environment for children, and it is essential to support and promote such initiatives to make a positive impact on the lives of children and adults in the city.