By SCN Staff
Published September 13, 2026

Quick Review

• A new UNICEF Innocenti report estimates that 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year.
• More than 40% of cases were never shared with anyone, and fewer than 1% were reported to authorities.
• Children may stay silent because they fear punishment, embarrassment, retaliation, or losing access to their devices.
• Parents can strengthen safety by responding calmly, preserving evidence, avoiding blame, and helping the child access trusted support.

A new report from UNICEF Innocenti, produced through the Disrupting Harm project with ECPAT International and INTERPOL, presents a serious but actionable picture of children’s digital safety.

The report estimates that 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries: almost 1 in 5 internet-using children surveyed: experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse during a single year.

These findings are estimates from the countries surveyed and represent internet-using children, not all children worldwide. Because many experiences are never disclosed, the true scale is likely higher.

“This report reveals a painful reality,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in the organization’s September 3 press release. “These experiences cause profound emotional and mental distress. Many children suffer in silence, unsure where to turn for help. We cannot look away.”

What The UNICEF Report Found

The research draws on nationally representative surveys of approximately 21,000 internet-using children aged 12–17 across 21 countries, along with 100 in-depth interviews with young people who experienced abuse during childhood.

The findings include:

• More than 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content.
• Approximately 9 million were asked to engage in sexual conversations or share sexual images against their will.
• About 4 million had sexual images of themselves shared without consent.
• Nearly 60% of reported experiences took place on mainstream social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
• Approximately 14% occurred in online games.
• In 57% of cases, the child already knew the person involved, including a peer, romantic partner, friend, or family member.
• In 38% of cases, the child first encountered the person online.

These findings challenge the assumption that online abuse is primarily caused by unknown strangers. Digital harm can emerge through existing relationships, private messages, gaming communities, social networks, and familiar social circles.

The report also found that children who experienced technology-facilitated exploitation were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviours and self-harm, along with significantly higher levels of anxiety. This does not mean every child will experience the same effects, but it underscores the importance of timely, compassionate support.

Why Children May Not Tell Anyone

More than 40% of cases were never shared with anyone, while fewer than 1% were reported to authorities such as police, social workers, or helplines. The most common reason children remained silent was not knowing where to go or whom to tell.

For parents, this finding is especially important. Silence does not necessarily mean that a child is unaffected, unconcerned, or unwilling to seek help. Children may be trying to calculate what will happen if they speak.

They may fear:

• Losing their phone, tablet, or access to friends.
• Being punished for breaking a family rule.
• Anger, disappointment, disbelief, or blame.
• Embarrassment or shame.
• Uncertainty about whether what happened “counts” as abuse.
• Retaliation from the person involved.
• Getting a friend, partner, or classmate in trouble.
• Being forced to repeat painful details.
• Making the situation worse by involving adults.

Research from Thorn on young people’s online safety experiences emphasizes that children often consider possible judgment and consequences before disclosing an online sexual interaction. That is why a parent’s first response matters so much.

When A Child Tells You, Listen First

The first goal is safety: not an immediate investigation, lecture, or punishment.

Stay as calm as possible, even when the information is upsetting. Thank the child for telling you and make clear that they are not in trouble for coming forward.

Useful language includes:

“Thank you for telling me. This is not your fault. I’m here, and we will handle this together.”

“You did the right thing by coming to me, no matter what happened.”

“My first job is to help keep you safe. We can work through the next steps together.”

Avoid anger, blame, disbelief, or immediate questions about why the child used a particular app or device. Those questions may be relevant later, but beginning with them can make a child feel responsible for the abuse.

Do not punish or threaten to take away the device in the moment. A protective restriction may sometimes be necessary, but it should be explained as a safety measure: not as a consequence for telling the truth. If children learn that disclosure leads to losing their device, they may be less likely to seek help next time.

Preserve Evidence Without Increasing Harm

If the situation is ongoing or involves threats, work carefully to preserve relevant information without making the child repeatedly revisit the experience.

Depending on the circumstances, document:

• Screenshots of messages or profiles.
• Usernames and account names.
• Dates and times.
• URLs or links to content.
• The platform or service involved.
• Threats, demands, or repeated contact.

Do not forward or redistribute sexual images of a child. Do not ask the child to send the image to you. If you are unsure what to preserve, contact a child protection professional or law enforcement agency for guidance.

In the United States, suspected online child sexual exploitation can be reported through the NCMEC CyberTipline. For non-consensual intimate images involving a minor, families can also review NCMEC’s Take It Down service, which helps participating platforms identify and remove eligible images.

Parents should also report the account or content through the platform’s safety tools, contact local law enforcement when appropriate, and consider support from a child advocacy organization, counselor, or trusted child protection service.

For additional context, SCN has covered the risks associated with AI-generated fake nudes and why parents should reconsider how they share back-to-school photos.

Keep The Conversation Open

One conversation is not enough. A child may disclose only part of what happened at first, especially when fear or shame is involved.

Continue checking in without demanding details:

• “How are you feeling about everything today?”
• “Has anyone contacted you again?”
• “Is there anything you are worried might happen next?”
• “Would you like help speaking with a counselor or another trusted adult?”

Watch for changes in sleep, mood, anxiety, school participation, friendships, or online behaviour. These signs do not prove that abuse has occurred, but they may indicate that additional support is needed.

If a child expresses thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or immediate danger, seek urgent professional help through local emergency services or a crisis service in your country.

What Parents, Educators, And Platforms Can Do

Parents: Build regular, calm conversations about online relationships, consent, privacy, and reporting before a problem occurs. Make clear that children can ask for help without automatically losing access to their devices.

Educators: Establish clear disclosure procedures, identify trusted safeguarding contacts, and respond consistently to online sexual exploitation, image-based abuse, and technology-enabled harassment.

Technology companies: Strengthen child-centered privacy settings, limit unsolicited contact, improve reporting systems, and design platforms so that the responsibility for safety does not fall primarily on children.

Policymakers: Support effective laws, trained child protection services, accessible reporting pathways, and safeguards that address emerging risks, including AI-generated sexual abuse material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The 20 Million Figure Represent Every Child Worldwide?

No. The estimate represents internet-using children aged 12–17 surveyed across 21 countries. It should not be presented as a count of all children worldwide. Underreporting means the actual scale may be higher.

Should I Take Away My Child’s Phone After A Disclosure?

Not automatically. First, respond with calm support and assess immediate safety. If a temporary restriction is necessary, explain that it is protective, not punishment for telling you, and create a plan for safe communication and review.

What If My Child Says They Do Not Want To Report?

Listen without pressure, explain available options, and seek guidance from a child protection professional. If there is immediate danger, exploitation by an adult, blackmail, or ongoing threats, contact the appropriate authorities or child protection service.

What Is The Most Important Thing To Say?

Start with reassurance: “Thank you for telling me. This is not your fault. You are not in trouble, and I will help you.”

The UNICEF findings call for stronger systems, safer platforms, and informed adult support. For families, one practical step is to make sure every child knows where to turn before they need help.

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Categories: Featured, Parenting, Child Protection/Safety, Policy