UNICEF: One in five teenagers experienced online sexual abuse
One in five teenagers aged 12 to 17 experienced online sexual abuse over the past year. This is according to a new survey by the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, involving around 21,000 young people from 21 countries, Deutsche Welle reports.
Scale of the problem
According to UNICEF estimates, more than 15 million children encountered unwanted sexual content. Around 9 million children faced pressure to engage in sexual conversations or send sexual images, while approximately 4 million encountered the distribution of such images without their consent.
The study’s authors emphasize that the real scale of the problem may be significantly greater. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that such cases cause profound emotional and psychological suffering, while many children remain silent because they do not know where to seek help.
According to the survey, 41% of those affected told no one about what they experienced. Some of those who did disclose it first confided in friends, siblings, or mothers. Less than 1% of cases were reported to authorities.
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Who was named as involved
In 57% of cases, the people whom respondents named as involved in the abuse were known to them: they could have been friends, family members, or romantic partners. Strangers featured in 16% of cases, while another 27% of respondents were unable to determine who was behind the profile. According to UNICEF, such individuals may include both adults and minors, and in many cases the abuse occurs not only online but also in real life.
Cases were most often linked to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which are owned by Meta: these platforms account for 60% of the abuse mentioned in the report. Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube were named next. Another 14% of respondents identified online gaming platforms as the place where such cases occurred.
UNICEF recommendations
UNICEF called on governments, technology companies, and other stakeholders to strengthen protections for minors in the digital environment. The recommendations include creating safer platforms with stronger protection of children’s privacy, strengthening national regulation and criminal legislation, and introducing reliable mechanisms for reporting violations and supporting young people.
