NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations issued a warning that worldwide initiatives to combat violence against children are not progressing sufficiently for 2030. The latest evaluation comes two decades after the landmark UN study on violence against children. According to a new progress update, conflict, displacement, climate-related hazards, and digital abuse have all contributed to expanding risks to child protection. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, authored this recent assessment. The report will be reviewed during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly this month.
According to the report, nearly 19% of children globally now reside in conflict zones, a significant increase from about 10% in the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children worldwide, nearly tripling the figure of roughly 17 million recorded in 2010. The 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 further complexity to the risks facing children globally. Nearly half of all children, or 1.1 billion, are exposed to at least three overlapping climate threats. According to UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment, almost every child faces at least one such danger, with more than 4 million children affected by as many as six overlapping risks. These hazards include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms.
Digital threats intensify child protection issues
The UN assessment highlights that digital environments have broadened the spectrum of threats to children. Data indicates that roughly one in three internet users worldwide is under 18. Annually, over 300 million children suffer online sexual exploitation and abuse, as cited by the UN office. During the past year, at least 1.2 million children reported that artificial intelligence had transformed their images into sexually explicit deepfakes. Additional dangers include cyberbullying, fraud, identity theft, trafficking, and exposure to harmful content.
A 2025 survey conducted by M’jid’s office included responses from over 30,000 children across all regions. Sixty-six percent of respondents believed cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of where or how to report cyberbullying or seek support. The report also points to online threats such as hate speech, privacy violations, and criminal recruitment. Emerging AI tools have introduced new risks, including deepfakes, automated targeting, and manipulated digital content.
UN urges enhanced prevention and safeguarding strategies
The report advocates for a unified strategy grounded in prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends the development of national policies aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against children. The report also emphasizes the need for legal bans, improved data collection, and increased investment in child protection infrastructure. Digital safety measures should include stronger privacy and security protocols across platforms and AI systems. Additionally, the report advocates for accessible reporting mechanisms and meaningful child involvement in decisions that impact their safety.
Since July 2019, M’jid has served as the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children. During this period, she has undertaken 65 country visits and engaged with senior officials from national and local governments. Her interactions included meetings with 35 heads of state, heads of government or their deputies, along with 728 ministers and senior officials. The latest assessment estimates a global annual cost of $393 billion due to lost human capital from mental health issues among children. The UN concludes that the 2030 objective to eradicate violence against children remains off schedule.