20 Million Children Affected<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAccording to the report, more than 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content. Meanwhile, 9 million were asked to engage in sexual conversations or share sexual images against their will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, 4 million children had sexual images of themselves shared without their consent. However, UNICEF said the true scale is likely much higher because many cases are not reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe report reveals a painful reality,\u201d said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. She noted that more than 20 million children across the countries studied were subjected to unwanted explicit sexual content or exploitation online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russell added that these experiences can cause profound emotional and mental distress, while many children remain unsure where to seek help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social Media Accounts for Most Cases<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 60% of reported cases took place on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another 14% of cases occurred in online games. According to the report, platform features, functions and design can be used to exploit children’s trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, more than 80% of reported cases in Montenegro involved social media platforms. In Colombia, social media was linked to more than half of the cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The findings also challenge the assumption that online abuse is mainly carried out by strangers. Across the countries surveyed, 57% of cases involved someone the child already knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These included peers, romantic partners, friends and family members. At the same time, 38% of children first encountered the perpetrator online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report points to fake accounts and private messaging features as examples of how technology can facilitate abuse. This highlights the growing importance of Child Online Safety measures across digital platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abuse Linked to Emotional Distress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUNICEF said technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse can have a profound impact on children’s emotional well-being, sense of safety and trust in others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children interviewed during the research described feelings of fear, shame, confusion and isolation. Many also struggled to understand what had happened or where to seek help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the analysis, children subjected to technology-facilitated exploitation were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviours and self-harm. They also reported significantly higher levels of anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Mexico and North Macedonia, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours was more than eight times higher among children who experienced abuse. In Pakistan, the risk of self-harm was more than seven times higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most Cases Remain Unreported<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMore than 40% of cases of technology-facilitated abuse were never shared with anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, fewer than 1% were reported to authorities, including police, social workers or helplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Globally, the most common reason children remained silent was not knowing where to go or whom to tell. In some countries, the rate of non-disclosure was even higher. In Armenia, for instance, more than half of cases were never shared with anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNICEF Calls for Stronger Protection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUNICEF is calling on governments, technology companies and other stakeholders to strengthen Child Online Safety measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report recommends making digital platforms safer by design. This includes stronger privacy protections for children, restrictions on unsolicited contact from adults, safer recommender systems, and improved detection and reporting mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also calls for stronger laws, regulation and accountability to address evolving forms of abuse, including sexual extortion and AI-generated sexual abuse material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, UNICEF recommends investing in trusted reporting and support systems. These should include child protection, health, justice and social services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also urges families, schools and communities to respond to disclosures with support, rather than placing the burden of protection on children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNICEF further highlights the need to reduce economic vulnerabilities, expand education and employment opportunities, and address social and gender norms that normalise the sexualisation of girls and stigmatise survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research Across 21 Countries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe report draws on nationally representative surveys involving approximately 21,000 internet-using children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries. It also includes in-depth interviews with 100 young people who experienced abuse during childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research was conducted by UNICEF as part of the Disrupting Harm project, implemented jointly by UNICEF, ECPAT International and INTERPOL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research was conducted in two rounds. The first, carried out primarily in 2020 and 2021, covered Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, the Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Viet Nam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second round, conducted in 2024 and 2025, expanded the research to Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan and Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNICEF noted that the survey sample included internet-using children only. Therefore, the findings are representative of internet-using children rather than all children, particularly in countries with lower internet connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As digital platforms continue to shape how children learn, play and communicate, the findings reinforce the urgent need to strengthen Child Online Safety<\/a> through safer technology, stronger accountability and accessible protection and reporting systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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