NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations has issued a warning that worldwide efforts to eliminate violence against children are falling behind schedule for 2030. This assessment marks two decades since the influential UN study on violence directed at children. A recent progress report highlights that conflict, displacement, climate-related hazards, and digital abuse have all contributed to increasing risks to child protection. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, compiled this latest report. The upcoming 81st UN General Assembly session is set to review its findings this month.
According to the report, nearly 19% of children globally now reside in conflict zones, a significant rise from approximately 10% in the 1990s. By the close of 2024, violence and conflict had resulted in the displacement of 48.8 million children worldwide, nearly tripling the figure of around 17 million recorded in 2010. This figure includes refugee and asylum-seeking children as well as millions displaced within their own countries due to violence and conflict.
Climate-related hazards are adding additional dangers for children across the globe. Almost half of all children, totaling 1.1 billion, are exposed to at least three overlapping climate risks. Nearly every child faces at least one such danger, according to UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment. More than 4 million children are affected by as many as six simultaneous threats, which include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms.
Digital Threats Amplify Child Protection Challenges
The UN assessment indicates that digital environments have introduced a broader spectrum of dangers for children. Approximately one in three internet users worldwide is under 18. Each year, over 300 million children experience online sexual exploitation and abuse, as reported by the UN office. During the past year, at least 1.2 million children had their images manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes through artificial intelligence. Additional risks encompass cyberbullying, fraud, identity theft, trafficking, and exposure to harmful content.
A 2025 survey conducted by M’jid’s office gathered insights from more than 30,000 children across all regions. Sixty-six percent of respondents believed that cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of where or how to report such abuse or seek support. The report further highlights online dangers such as hate speech, violations of privacy, and criminal recruitment. The advent of new artificial intelligence tools has introduced fresh threats involving deepfakes, automated targeting, and manipulated digital material.
UN Calls for Enhanced Preventive Measures and Child Protection Frameworks
The report advocates for a unified strategy rooted in prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. Its recommendations include the development of national policies aimed at eradicating all forms of violence against children. The UN also urges stronger legal bans, improved data collection, and increased investment in child protection infrastructure. It emphasizes that digital safeguards should incorporate enhanced privacy protections and safety protocols across digital platforms and artificial intelligence systems. The report also supports accessible mechanisms for reporting abuse and promotes active child involvement in decisions affecting 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 at both national and local levels. Her outreach included meetings with 35 heads of state, heads of government or their deputies, and a total of 728 ministers and senior officials. The latest assessment estimates that the global annual cost of lost human capital linked to mental health issues among children reaches $393 billion. The UN’s evaluation indicates that the goal of ending violence against children by 2030 remains unfulfilled and off track.