UNICEF: 1 in 5 children face online sexual abuse in 21 countries

An estimated 20 million children aged 12 to 17, or nearly 1 in 5, experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a single year across 21 countries, according to a UNICEF report released Thursday. More than 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, while nine million were asked to engage in sexual conversations or share images against their will. Nearly 60 percent of cases occurred on mainstream social media platforms, and 57 percent involved someone the child already knew. Over 40 percent of cases were never disclosed to anyone, with fewer than one percent reported to authorities. UNICEF called on governments and tech companies to strengthen privacy safeguards, restrict unsolicited adult contact, and improve detection and reporting systems.