NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – According to a recent United Nations evaluation, worldwide initiatives aimed at eliminating violence directed at children are still not on track to meet the 2030 deadline. The report assesses two decades of progress since the pivotal UN study on violence against children. It highlights ongoing exposure of millions of children to harm due to conflict, forced displacement, climate-related threats, and digital abuse. 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 globally 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 number recorded in 2010. These figures include refugee children, asylum seekers, and internally displaced minors, emphasizing the vast disruption faced by children in war-affected and insecure regions.
Climate-related threats have emerged as a critical component of the worldwide child protection challenge. About 1.1 billion children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, with nearly every child encountering at least one climate-related risk. According to UNICEF, more than 4 million children face six simultaneous hazards, such as drought, extreme heat, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, and sand and dust storms. These climate shocks can also cause disruptions to education, healthcare, housing, and access to essential services.
Digital Exposure Heightens Threats to Children
The digital realm introduces additional safety concerns for children globally. Approximately one-third of all internet users are under 18. The assessment cites that over 300 million children suffer from online sexual exploitation and abuse annually. Moreover, at least 1.2 million children reported having their images altered into sexually explicit deepfakes during the past year. Other digital risks include cyberbullying, identity theft, trafficking, harmful content, and criminal recruitment.
A 2025 survey carried out by M’jid’s office gathered responses from more than 30,000 children worldwide. Sixty-six percent of respondents believed cyberbullying had increased. Half of the children surveyed were unaware of where to report abuse or seek assistance. The report also highlights concerns about hate speech, privacy violations, and manipulated digital content. The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new forms of abuse through deepfakes and automated content creation, intensifying pressure on existing child safety systems.
Call for Enhanced Prevention and Accountability Measures
The evaluation advocates for the development of national strategies that emphasize prevention, protection, participation, and accountability. It recommends stronger legislation against violence targeting minors and improved systems for collecting accurate data. Additionally, the report urges increased investment in child protection services and accessible channels for reporting abuse. Safeguards should include more robust privacy controls and protections across online platforms and AI systems. The review also emphasizes the importance of involving children in decisions that impact their safety and well-being.
These recent findings come at a critical time when governments are under pressure to meet the 2030 goal of ending violence against children. Since July 2019, M’jid has served as the UN Special Representative, conducting 65 country-level visits and engaging with senior officials at national and local levels. The report estimates a global annual cost of $393 billion linked to lost human capital resulting from mental health issues among children. The assessment concludes that current progress is insufficient to achieve the global target.