UNICEF Says 20 Million Children Face Online Sexual Abuse Each Year
UNICEF says 20 million children face online sexual abuse annually and more than one in five 12- to 17-year-olds have been targeted on digital platforms.
In short
- UNICEF says 20 million children face online sexual abuse annually and more than one in five 12- to 17-year-olds have been targeted on digital platforms.
UNICEF says an estimated 20 million children face online sexual abuse each year, underscoring the scale of risks confronting young people on digital platforms.
The United Nations children’s agency reported on September 3, 2026, that more than one in five children aged 12 to 17 had been targeted online. The finding covers abuse directed at children through digital services rather than harm confined to a single country or platform.
The figures add urgency to efforts by governments, technology companies, schools and families to improve safeguards for minors online. UNICEF’s reported findings indicate that the problem affects a substantial share of adolescents and requires sustained attention across borders.
