NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (HRNW) — UNICEF has warned that technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse is affecting millions of children, urging governments, technology companies and communities to strengthen protections for children online.
A UNICEF report published September 3 estimated that 20 million children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse during a 12-month period.
The organization said the findings demonstrate that online abuse has become a major child-rights challenge requiring urgent action.
UNICEF reported that children experienced unwanted sexual content, pressure to participate in sexual conversations and the non-consensual sharing of sexual images.
The organization also warned that online abuse does not always come from strangers. Its research found that a significant proportion of reported incidents involved people children already knew.
Social-media platforms and online gaming environments were identified as important spaces where children can face abuse and exploitation.
UNICEF is calling for stronger child-safety measures, effective reporting systems, better prevention and greater responsibility from technology companies.
The organization stressed that children have the right to participate safely in digital spaces and that protecting them online must become a central part of modern child-rights policy.
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on UNICEF’s published research and publicly available information. HRNW presents the findings for public-interest journalism and child-rights awareness.
