The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has released a report highlighting the prevalence of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, which poses significant challenges for adult-industry platforms and operators. The report, part of the Disrupting Harm project, found that up to 20% of 12-17-year-olds in Africa and South-East Asia experienced online sexual abuse over a one-year period.

The study revealed that most children experienced online sexual abuse on social media platforms, often perpetrated by someone they knew. The impact of such abuse is severe, with child survivors two to four times more likely to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts, and experience significantly higher rates of anxiety.

Background and Context

The Disrupting Harm project is the largest comparable research study of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Implemented in 25 countries so far, it captures the experiences of children and youth, caregivers, frontline service providers, justice professionals, and law enforcement agencies.

UNICEF/UNI574646/Pouget

The report highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes strengthening legislation, improving law enforcement capabilities, and increasing action from the technology industry. The study also emphasizes the importance of caregivers being prepared to help their children navigate the complex digital landscape.

Why it Matters to the Industry

The prevalence of online child sexual exploitation and abuse poses significant challenges for adult-industry platforms and operators. These companies must balance the need to provide a safe and secure environment for users with the risk of inadvertently hosting or facilitating illegal content.

The report's findings highlight the importance of implementing effective age-gating measures, moderating user-generated content, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Adult-industry platforms and operators must also prioritize cybersecurity and privacy measures to protect their users' data and prevent unauthorized access.

What Comes Next

The Disrupting Harm project's findings have significant implications for the development of technology-facilitated solutions to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The report recommends that governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector work together to develop effective strategies to prevent and respond to this issue.

One key area of focus is the development of AI-powered tools to detect and remove illegal content from online platforms. These tools must be designed and implemented in a way that balances the need for effectiveness with the risk of inadvertently removing legitimate content or infringing on users' rights.

Key Facts

  • The Disrupting Harm project is the largest comparable research study of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse of children, implemented in 25 countries so far.
  • Up to 20% of 12-17-year-olds in Africa and South-East Asia experienced online sexual abuse over a one-year period.
  • The majority of children experienced online sexual abuse on social media platforms, often perpetrated by someone they knew.
  • Child survivors are two to four times more likely to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts, and experience significantly higher rates of anxiety.
  • The report recommends that governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector work together to develop effective strategies to prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Additional Resources

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program (ICAC) is a multinational and multijurisdictional network of 61 ICAC task forces, consisting of more than 6,200 federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies throughout the United States.

In FY 2025, OJJDP provided over $33.9 million to support ICAC task force activities. The ICAC Training and Technical Assistance Program provides ICAC task forces and their affiliates with the training and technical assistance they need to conduct effective investigations and prosecutions.