NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – According to a recent United Nations report, efforts worldwide to eradicate violence against children are not on track to meet the 2030 deadline. The document reviews two decades of advancement since the landmark UN study on violence targeting children, highlighting that conflict, forced displacement, climate-related risks, and digital abuse continue to put millions of children at risk. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, authored this latest analysis for the 81st UN General Assembly.
The report reveals that nearly 19% of children globally now reside in conflict zones, a sharp increase from nearly 10% during the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children, nearly tripling the figure recorded in 2010. This group includes refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced children. These numbers underscore the widespread disruption faced by young populations in conflict-affected regions.
Climate-related threats have also become a prominent element of the global child protection challenge. Approximately 1.1 billion children face at least three overlapping climate hazards. Almost every child encounters at least one climate risk, with over 4 million children exposed to six simultaneous hazards, according to UNICEF. These risks encompass drought, extreme heat, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms. Such climate shocks frequently interrupt education, healthcare, housing, and access to essential services.
Digital dangers intensify the threats confronting children
The digital sphere introduces additional safety concerns for children worldwide. Data shows that about one in three internet users is under 18. Annually, more than 300 million children face online sexual exploitation and abuse, as cited in the assessment. During the past year, at least 1.2 million children had their images altered into sexually explicit deepfakes. Other online risks include cyberbullying, identity theft, trafficking, harmful content, and criminal recruitment.
A 2025 survey conducted by M’jid’s office gathered responses from over 30,000 children across all regions. Sixty-six percent of respondents believed cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed lacked awareness of where to report abuse or seek assistance. The report highlights hate speech, privacy violations, and manipulated digital content as major concerns. The rise of artificial intelligence has also introduced new forms of abuse through deepfakes and automated content creation, placing additional strain on existing child protection systems.
The report emphasizes the need for enhanced prevention and accountability measures
The assessment advocates for national policies prioritizing prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends enacting stronger legislation against violence targeting children and improving systems for gathering accurate data. Additionally, the report calls for increased investment in child protection services and the development of accessible channels for reporting abuse. Digital safety should also be reinforced through enhanced privacy controls and protective measures across online platforms and artificial intelligence systems. The review encourages involving children meaningfully in decisions that impact their safety and well-being.
These latest findings arrive as governments face a shrinking timeframe to achieve the 2030 goal of ending violence against children. M’jid has been in her role since July 2019, conducting 65 country visits and engaging with senior officials across national and local levels during that period. The report estimates that the global economic loss due to mental health issues among children amounts to $393 billion annually. It concludes that current progress remains inadequate to reach the global target.