New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Monday ruled downloading and watching child sexual abuse material is an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), media reports said.

The top court ruled hearing a plea challenging the Madras High Court order which stated watching only 'child porn' is not an offence under POCSO and IT Acts.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala said the Madras High Court committed "egregious error" in passing the judgement.

The top court has suggested that the Parliament should bring a law to replace the term 'child pornography' with 'Child Sexual Exploitative and Abusive Material' amending the POCSO Act.

The top court has directed all other courts not to use the term 'child pornography'.