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

A UNICEF report released Thursday reveals that one in five children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries, roughly 20 million, experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with the actual figures likely much higher. Nearly 60 percent of exploitation cases occurred on social media platforms, and 14 percent on online games. Over 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, and four million had sexual images shared without consent. More than 40 percent of abuse cases were never reported, often because children did not know who to tell. Victims were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts, prompting UNICEF to call for stronger laws and safer online platforms.