The U.N. children's agency said nearly one in five internet users ages 12 to 17 in the countries surveyed had encountered unwanted sexual content or exploitation online. Most incidents happened on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp, and in more than half of cases, the offender was someone the victim knew.
"Many children suffer in silence", UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, calling the findings a "painful reality".
The report, titled "Through Children's Eyes: How Digital Technologies Enable Child Sexual Abuse", draws on surveys conducted in 2021-2022 and again in 2024-2025 across countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. It found that 15 million children had been exposed to unwanted sexual content, while 9 million faced pressure to engage in sexual conversations or share intimate images. Images of 4 million children were shared without their consent.
A newer and growing threat also emerged: in nine of the countries surveyed, an estimated 1.1 million minors said they had been targeted by sexually explicit, AI-generated content using their likeness.
The psychological toll was severe. Children who experienced online abuse were, on average, four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior or self-harm — a risk that soared more than eightfold in Mexico and North Macedonia. Yet more than 40% of victims never told anyone, and fewer than 1% reported the abuse to police, social workers or help lines.
"All of us, including governments and technology companies, must do more to protect children online", Russell said.
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Source: PAP