I needed to burn down social media at that time: Tollywood actor Sai Durga Tej on YouTuber youngster abuse case

HYDERABAD

More than a 12 months after 4 YouTubers, together with Praneeth Hanumantu, have been booked for making inappropriate remarks a couple of woman youngster throughout a dwell stream, Tollywood actor Sai Durga Tej (earlier often called Sai Dharam Tej) mentioned he was compelled to intervene publicly as nobody was taking motion in opposition to the accused.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of Abhayam, a summit on youngster security organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Hyderabad on Saturday (September 13, 2025), the actor mentioned that he personally adopted the case with the Cyber Crime police and ensured motion was taken.

“I needed to burn down social media at the moment. I put out a tweet and was ready for the media or somebody to select it up, however nobody did. I used to be feeling very dangerous in regards to the matter. This is after I tagged the police and the goverment,” Tej mentioned.

The incident dates again to July 2024, and a case was booked by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB).

“Where are we heading, the place is our ethical compass?” Tej requested on the summit. “Freedom of speech has two elements — whereas it permits folks to articulate their ideas, it comes with a duty the place what you say doesn’t damage somebody’s respect or sentiments,” he remarked.

Tej additionally mirrored on cinema’s affect on younger audiences. “Most kids have cinema as an leisure, however how are we coping with teasing and sexual harassment in motion pictures? After ‘Winner’, I ended doing scenes the place the hero teases the heroine. I bought a voice to say no to such issues. I additionally stopped smoking on display. But I can not vouch for each actor and each director. I can communicate for myself, I can not pressure others to try this,” he mentioned.

Highlighting dangers for kids within the digital period, Tej mentioned the shortage of real-world interactions is pushing kids in the direction of social media and AI, which makes them susceptible to exploitation. “We can begin with only a day of digital detox in the course of the week, and have interaction in conversations and interactions with actual folks,” he steered.

He additionally urged stricter verification measures on social media platforms. “If they’ll join social media IDs with, let’s say Aadhaar playing cards, that may make customers and platforms extra accountable,” he mentioned.