NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations cautioned that worldwide efforts to eliminate violence against children are still not on track for 2030, a warning issued 20 years after the landmark UN study on violence inflicted upon young people. A recent progress report highlights that conflict, displacement, climate-related threats, and digital abuse have intensified risks to child safety. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, compiled this latest assessment, which will be reviewed during the 81st UN General Assembly session this month.
The report indicates that nearly 19% of children globally now reside in conflict zones, up from roughly 10% in the 1990s. By late 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children worldwide, nearly tripling the approximately 17 million displaced in 2010. This figure encompasses refugee and asylum-seeking minors, as well as millions displaced within their own countries due to conflict and violence.
Climate-related hazards are adding another layer of danger for children globally. According to the UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment, almost half of all children—around 1.1 billion—face at least three overlapping climate risks. Nearly every child encounters at least one such hazard, with over 4 million facing as many as six concurrent threats. These hazards include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms.
Digital Risks Heighten Child Protection Challenges
The UN assessment states that digital environments have broadened the spectrum of threats against children. Approximately one in three internet users worldwide is under 18. Over 300 million children annually encounter online sexual exploitation and abuse, according to data cited by the UN office. At least 1.2 million minors reported that artificial intelligence had transformed their images into sexually explicit deepfakes during the past year. Additional dangers include 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 did not know where or how to report instances of cyberbullying or seek support. The report also highlights threats such as hate speech, privacy breaches, and criminal recruitment online. New artificial intelligence tools have introduced further risks involving deepfakes, automated targeting, and manipulated digital content.
The UN urges enhanced prevention, protection, and participation strategies
The report advocates for a unified, preventive approach emphasizing protection, participation, accountability, and prevention. Recommendations include the development of national strategies aimed at eradicating all forms of violence against children. It also emphasizes the need for legal bans, improved data collection, and increased investment in child protection systems. The UN suggests digital safeguards should incorporate stronger privacy and safety protocols across platforms and AI systems. Additionally, it supports accessible mechanisms for reporting and meaningful child involvement in decisions concerning their safety.
Since July 2019, M’jid has served as the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, during which she has undertaken 65 country visits and engaged with senior officials at both national and local levels. Her interactions included meetings with 35 heads of state, heads of government or their deputies, alongside 728 ministers and senior officials. The latest report estimates an annual global economic loss of $393 billion due to reduced human capital linked to mental health issues among children. The UN assessment concludes that the goal of ending violence against children by 2030 remains unmet and off course.