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The Madras High Court’s recent decision to quash criminal proceedings against a person for downloading child pornography, opting for a reformative approach, raises concerns about potential circumvention of legal consequences. While emphasizing the need for counseling to address porn addiction, the court overlooked statutory provisions, including Section 67B of the Information Technology Act explicitly criminalizing the downloading of child pornography. Balancing reformation and punishment is crucial, given the gravity of child sexual abuse in the industry. The State’s duty to protect children’s rights and dignity, as mandated by Article 39(f) of the Constitution, requires a comprehensive and cautious legislative and judicial response.