NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – According to a recent United Nations evaluation, global initiatives aimed at ending violence against children are falling short of achieving the 2030 goal. The document reflects on twenty years of progress since the landmark UN study on violence targeting children. It emphasizes that conflict, forced migration, climate-related threats, and online abuse continue to jeopardize the safety of millions of young people. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, authored the latest review for the 81st UN General Assembly.
The report states that nearly 19% of children worldwide now reside in conflict zones, a significant increase from close to 10% in the 1990s. As of the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children, nearly tripling the figure recorded in 2010. This total includes refugee children, asylum seekers, and those displaced within their own countries, underscoring the widespread disruption faced by children affected by war and insecurity.
Climate-related risks have also emerged as a critical component of the global challenge to protect children. About 1.1 billion children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards. Nearly every child encounters at least one climate-related threat, with more than 4 million children facing six concurrent hazards, according to UNICEF. These dangers include drought, extreme heat, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms. Such climate shocks can disrupt education, healthcare, housing, and access to essential services.
Digital Exposure Amplifies Risks to Children
The online realm introduces new protective challenges for children globally. About one in three internet users is under 18. The assessment reports that over 300 million children experience online sexual exploitation and abuse annually. During 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, which gathered responses from over 30,000 children across all regions, found that 66% of respondents believed cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of where to report abuse or seek assistance. The report further highlights concerns over hate speech, privacy breaches, and manipulated digital content. Artificial intelligence has introduced new forms of abuse through deepfakes and automated content creation, intensifying the challenges faced by existing child safety systems.
Call for Enhanced Prevention Measures and Accountability
The review advocates for national policies centered on prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends implementing stronger laws against violence targeting minors and establishing more effective data collection systems. The report also urges increased investment in child protection programs and accessible reporting mechanisms. Digital safety efforts should incorporate stricter privacy controls and safeguards across online platforms and AI systems. Furthermore, the review emphasizes empowering children to participate meaningfully in decisions influencing their safety and well-being.
These latest findings emerge as governments face a limited window to meet the 2030 objective of ending violence against children. M’jid has held her position since July 2019 and has conducted 65 country-level visits. During this period, she has engaged with senior officials from both national and local governments. The report also estimates that the global economic loss due to mental health issues among children amounts to $393 billion annually. Ultimately, the assessment concludes that current efforts are inadequate to reach the global goal.