Geneva: About 20 million internet using children across 21 countries experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year, UNICEF estimates.

Around one in five children aged 12 to 17 surveyed across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe reported experiencing at least one form of sexual abuse or exploitation online, according to a new UNICEF report.

The findings are based on nationally representative surveys conducted between 2020 and 2025 involving around 21,000 internet using children across 21 countries, including Pakistan, Kenya, Brazil and Serbia.

The report estimates that approximately 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, while nine million were pressured into sexual conversations or sharing sexual images. Another four million had sexual images shared without their consent.

Social media platforms accounted for almost 60 per cent of reported incidents, with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok among the platforms most frequently identified. Online gaming accounted for a further 14 per cent of reported cases.

The abuse was not always perpetrated by strangers. More than half of the reported cases involved someone the child already knew, including friends, relatives or romantic partners. In 38 per cent of cases, children first encountered the perpetrator online.

Underreporting remains a major concern. Fewer than one per cent of cases were reported to police, social workers or helplines, highlighting significant gaps in reporting and child protection mechanisms.

The report also points to emerging risks linked to artificial intelligence. Across nine countries where data was collected, an estimated 1.1 million children reported having AI generated sexual images or videos created depicting them.

UNICEF warned that technology facilitated sexual exploitation can have serious consequences for children’s wellbeing. Children who experienced such abuse were around four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or self harm and also reported significantly higher levels of anxiety.

UNICEF has called on governments and technology companies to strengthen safeguards for children, update laws to address emerging forms of abuse, including AI generated sexual content, and improve reporting and protection systems.

With Pakistan among the countries covered by the research, the findings underscore the need for stronger digital safeguards, awareness and accessible reporting mechanisms to protect children as their online exposure continues to grow.