NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – A recent United Nations report indicates that worldwide efforts to eradicate violence against children are not on track to meet the 2030 deadline. The assessment reviews two decades of advancements since the landmark UN study on the issue, highlighting ongoing exposure to harm due to conflict, displacement, climate threats, and digital abuse. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, prepared this latest review for the 81st UN General Assembly.
According to the report, nearly 19% of children globally reside in conflict zones, a significant increase from around 10% in the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children, nearly tripling the number recorded in 2010. This figure encompasses refugee children, asylum seekers, and those displaced within their own countries, illustrating the extensive disruption faced by children in war-torn and insecure regions.
Climate change has added a major challenge to protecting children worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, with almost every child facing at least one climate-related risk. Over 4 million children experience six simultaneous hazards, including drought, extreme heat, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms, as reported by UNICEF. These climate shocks also threaten access to education, healthcare, housing, and basic services.
Digital Environment Creates Additional Risks for Children
Children are increasingly vulnerable online, where one-third of internet users are under 18. The assessment cites figures indicating over 300 million children face online sexual exploitation and abuse annually. In the past year, at least 1.2 million children had their images manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. Additional digital threats include cyberbullying, identity theft, trafficking, harmful content, and criminal recruitment.
A 2025 survey by M’jid’s office, involving over 30,000 children across all regions, found that 66% believe cyberbullying has risen. Half of the respondents did not know where to report abuse or seek help. The report also raises concerns about hate speech, privacy violations, and manipulated digital material. The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new forms of abuse, such as deepfakes and automated content creation, which strain existing child protection systems.
Call for Enhanced Prevention, Laws, and Child Participation
The report emphasizes the need for national policies emphasizing prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It advocates for stronger legislation against violence targeting children and improved data collection systems. Greater investment in child protection services and accessible reporting mechanisms is also recommended. Digital safety initiatives should incorporate stricter privacy controls and safeguards across online platforms and artificial intelligence tools. The review supports actively involving children in decisions impacting their safety and well-being.
These findings come at a critical time when governments are racing against the clock to achieve the 2030 target for ending violence against children. Since taking office in July 2019, M’jid has conducted 65 country-level visits and engaged with numerous senior officials. The report estimates that the global economic loss due to mental health-related human capital depletion among children amounts to $393 billion annually. The assessment concludes that current progress is insufficient to reach the global goal.