Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UNICEF reports that more than 20 million children in 21 countries experienced online sexual abuse, including exposure to explicit content, coercion into sexual conversations, or having sexual images shared without consent.
The report states that nearly 60 percent of these cases happened on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and WhatsApp. An additional 14 percent occurred on online gaming platforms, which sometimes enable perpetrators to build trust and exploit children. In Montenegro, social media accounted for over 80 percent of reported cases, and 38 percent of children met perpetrators online for the first time. Perpetrators often use platform features to hide their identities. UNICEF noted that 57 percent of cases involved known individuals, including peers, friends, and family members.
UNICEF highlighted the significant emotional and mental health impact on affected children, who reported feelings of fear, shame, confusion, and isolation. Children subjected to technology-facilitated sexual abuse were found to be four times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm, with some countries like Pakistan showing a risk increase of over seven times.
The report also found that over 40 percent of tech-facilitated abuse incidents were never disclosed, with fewer than one percent reported to authorities, mainly due to uncertainty about where to seek help.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called for urgent action by governments and technology companies to create safer digital spaces and strengthen legal protections for children.