United Nations (Web Desk) — A new report by the United Nations agency UNICEF has revealed that approximately 20 million children, aged between 12 and 17, in 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse over the course of one year.
According to the report, this figure represents approximately one-fifth of children using the internet in these countries.
During the research, information was collected from approximately 21,000 children, while detailed interviews were also conducted with affected young people.
According to the report, more than 15 million children were shown or sent unwanted sexual content, while approximately 9 million children faced pressure to engage in sexual conversations or share images.
According to UNICEF, more than half of such incidents occurred on social media platforms, while less than one percent of incidents were reported to the relevant authorities.
The report also expressed concern over the growing risk of fake sexual images of children being generated through artificial intelligence.
UNICEF has urged governments and technology companies to make the design of social media platforms, complaint mechanisms, and relevant laws more effective to protect children from online risks.