NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – A new United Nations assessment indicates that global efforts to eliminate violence against children are not on track to meet the 2030 deadline. The report examines two decades of progress since the pivotal UN study on violence targeting young people. It highlights that conflict, forced migration, climate threats, and digital dangers continue to put millions of children at risk. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, authored this latest review for the 81st UN General Assembly.
The report states that nearly 19% of children around the world currently reside in conflict zones, a significant increase from close to 10% during the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had caused the displacement of 48.8 million children, nearly tripling the figure recorded in 2010. These figures include refugee children, asylum seekers, and internally displaced minors, emphasizing the extensive upheaval faced by children in war-affected and insecure areas.
Climate-related threats have emerged as a major obstacle in global child protection efforts. Approximately 1.1 billion children confront at least three overlapping climate hazards. Virtually all children are exposed to at least one climate risk, with over 4 million facing six concurrent hazards, according to UNICEF. These dangers encompass droughts, extreme heat, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms. Such climate shocks can also interfere with education, healthcare, housing, and access to essential services.
Digital Risks Compound the Challenges Facing Children
Online environments are adding new protection concerns for children worldwide. Approximately one in three internet users is under 18. Figures cited in the assessment reveal that more than 300 million children experience online sexual exploitation and abuse annually. Additionally, at least 1.2 million children had their images manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes over the past year. Other digital dangers include cyberbullying, identity theft, trafficking, exposure to harmful content, and recruitment by criminals.
A 2025 survey conducted by M’jid’s office gathered responses from over 30,000 children across all regions. Sixty-six percent of participants believed that cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of where to report abuse or seek help. The report also highlights hate speech, privacy violations, and manipulated digital content as primary concerns. The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new abuse methods, such as deepfakes and automated content creation, further straining existing child safety mechanisms.
The Report Calls for Enhanced Prevention and Accountability Measures
The assessment advocates for national policies centered on prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends enacting stronger legislation against violence toward children and improving data collection systems for better reliability. The report also emphasizes the need for increased investment in child protection services and establishing accessible channels for reporting abuse. Safeguards for digital safety should include enhanced privacy controls and protections across online platforms and AI systems. Furthermore, the review underscores the importance of involving children meaningfully in decisions impacting their safety and well-being.
These findings come at a critical moment as governments worldwide confront a limited window to achieve the 2030 goal of ending violence against children. Since July 2019, M’jid has held her role, conducting 65 country-level visits and engaging with senior officials across various levels of government. The report estimates that the annual global economic loss due to mental health issues among children reaches $393 billion, reflecting the high human capital costs. It concludes that current efforts remain inadequate to reach the global target on time.