Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 11, 2026 Human rights
Around two-thirds of children worldwide report an increase in cyberbullying, and one in two say they don't know where or how to get the support they need. These findings are based on a survey conducted by the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children.
The report emphasizes that the entire online ecosystem must act quickly in the interests of children.
The study's findings come amid reports of growing threats to children due to conflict, displacement, poverty and rising levels of violence.
“We find ourselves once again in a world fraught with challenges, where children pay the highest price,” said Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence against Children, presenting the report at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Artificial intelligence is "radically changing the nature of threats"
More than 30,000 children from all regions of the world participated in the survey. The study's authors emphasize that artificial intelligence (AI) is "fundamentally transforming the threats" children face online.
The rapid development and availability of generative AI are changing the nature of cyberbullying: it is becoming more targeted and capable of spreading rapidly across multiple platforms.
With AI enabling the creation of deepfake photos and videos, as well as the manipulation of children through chatbots and other tools, children are often unable to distinguish between interactions with an algorithm and interactions with real people.
Deepfakes are "increasingly being used to humiliate, threaten and exploit children online," the Special Representative's office warned on Tuesday.
Fear of rejection
According to the report's authors, children are often afraid to report cyberbullying due to fear of stigma, adult condemnation, or rejection by peers.
The consequences of ignoring this issue can be devastating, ranging from psychological distress to damage to one's reputation. In the most tragic cases, it can lead a child to attempt suicide.
M'jid emphasized the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders in the child online protection ecosystem—governments, the digital industry, educators, parents, and children themselves—to protect children from online threats while simultaneously ensuring their safe participation in the digital environment.
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