UNICEF: Nearly 20 Million Children Faced Online Sexual Abuse Last Year
UNICEF has reported that nearly 20 million children who use the internet experienced sexual abuse or exploitation on digital platforms in the past year. The report found that more than one in five children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries said they faced at least one form of online sexual abuse.
The agency highlighted that about 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content. Nine million were coerced into sexual chats or sharing explicit images, while four million reported having their sexual images shared without consent. Social media platforms were the most common sites for these abuses, with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok being the most frequently mentioned.
UNICEF called on governments and technology companies to strengthen child safety measures online and update laws to address emerging forms of abuse, especially those involving AI-generated images and videos. The report also noted that children who experience online sexual abuse are more likely to suffer mental health issues such as anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
