A new report presented at the Human Rights Council in Geneva warns of “alarming trends” in online risks faced by children and calls for urgent action from the entire digital ecosystem to better protect them. According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the findings highlight the need for governments, technology companies, educators and communities to act faster and collaborate more effectively to safeguard children online. The report comes at a time when children are already facing increasing challenges globally due to conflicts, displacement, poverty and rising levels of violence. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, stressed that children are continuing to pay the highest price in an increasingly complex world.
Based on responses from more than 30,000 children across all regions, the report underscores how artificial intelligence is significantly transforming online threats. The rapid growth and accessibility of generative AI tools are reshaping cyberbullying, making harmful content easier to produce, more targeted and harder to detect. These technologies also enable abusive content to spread rapidly across multiple digital platforms, intensifying the scale and impact of online harassment.
The report highlights growing concerns about AI-generated deepfakes and the manipulation of children through chatbots and similar tools. Many children tend to trust online interactions and may struggle to distinguish between real people and AI-generated content. As a result, deepfake photos and videos are increasingly being used to humiliate, threaten and exploit children in digital spaces, creating new and complex forms of online abuse.
Another major concern is that many children hesitate to report cyberbullying due to stigma and fear. They worry about being rejected by their peers or judged by adults, which discourages them from seeking help. The consequences of silence can be severe, as harmful content can spread within seconds and cause significant psychological distress, reputational damage and long-term emotional harm. In the most tragic cases, such experiences can push children toward self-harm or suicide.
Dr. M’jid emphasized that protecting children online requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, including governments, the technology industry, educators, families and young people themselves. She highlighted that children should not only be protected but also included in shaping safer digital spaces. One child consulted during the report’s preparation expressed that digital environments should not be places where harm is reported but ignored, but spaces where help arrives quickly, safely and with empathy. The message stressed that the digital future should not simply be designed for children, but designed together with them.
