NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations has cautioned that global efforts to eliminate violence against children remain behind schedule for 2030. This evaluation marks 20 years since the groundbreaking UN study on violence against children. A recent progress report highlights that conflict, displacement, climate-related dangers, and digital abuse have all contributed to an increase in child protection threats. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, authored this latest assessment. The report will be discussed during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly this month.
According to the report, nearly 19% of children worldwide now reside in conflict zones, up from approximately 10% during the 1990s. By the close of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children globally. This figure is nearly three times the roughly 17 million recorded in 2010, including refugee and asylum-seeking children along with millions displaced within their own countries due to violence and conflict.
Climate-related hazards are adding another layer of danger for children worldwide. Almost half of all children, or 1.1 billion, face at least three simultaneous climate threats. Nearly every child is exposed to at least one such hazard, as reported in UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment. Over 4 million children are threatened by as many as six overlapping risks. These hazards include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms.
Digital dangers intensify child protection challenges
The UN assessment emphasizes that digital environments have broadened the spectrum of threats children face. Roughly one in three internet users globally is under 18. Annually, more than 300 million children experience online sexual exploitation and abuse, according to data cited by the UN office. At least 1.2 million children reported that artificial intelligence had transformed their images into sexually explicit deepfakes in the past year. Additional risks encompass cyberbullying, fraud, identity theft, trafficking, and exposure to harmful content.
A 2025 survey by M’jid’s office collected responses from over 30,000 children across all regions. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed believed cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of how or where to report cyberbullying or seek support. The report also highlights threats like hate speech, privacy breaches, and online recruitment for criminal activities. Emerging artificial intelligence tools have introduced new risks involving deepfakes, automated targeting, and manipulated digital content.
UN urges enhanced prevention measures and protective actions
The report advocates for a unified approach based on prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends the development of national strategies to eradicate all forms of violence against children. It also emphasizes the importance of legal bans, improved data collection, and increased investment in child protection systems. The UN stresses that digital safety measures should include stronger privacy protections and security protocols on platforms and AI systems. Furthermore, it calls for accessible reporting mechanisms and genuine child involvement in decisions concerning their safety.
Since July 2019, M’jid has served as the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children. During her tenure, she has conducted 65 country visits and engaged with senior officials from both national and local governments. Her meetings included 35 heads of state, heads of government or their deputies, along with 728 ministers and senior officials. The latest report also estimates an annual global cost of $393 billion due to lost human capital related to mental health issues among children. The UN assessment concludes that the goal of ending violence against children by 2030 remains unmet and off track.