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UNICEF report finds one in five surveyed youths faced online sexual abuse

A study across 21 countries reveals high rates of digital sexual violence against minors, with most known perpetrators and low reporting rates.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 00:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • A UNICEF survey of approximately 21,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries found that 20% experienced online sexual abuse over the past year.
  • Most perpetrators (57%) were already known to the victims, and fewer than 1% of incidents were reported to authorities.
  • The agency called on governments and tech platforms to strengthen safety regulations, bolster minor privacy protections, and create accessible reporting systems.

Key facts

  • A survey conducted by UNICEF involving roughly 21,000 internet-using youth aged 12 to 17 across 21 nations found that one in five had experienced online sexual abuse in the prior year.[Deutsche Welle]
  • According to UNICEF, 57% of perpetrators were known to their victims, 16% were strangers, and 27% could not be identified by the respondents.[Deutsche Welle]
  • Among the surveyed victims, 41% never disclosed their abuse to anyone, and under 1% of cases reached law enforcement authorities.[Deutsche Welle]
  • The report indicated that 60% of assaults originated mainly on Meta-owned platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, as well as Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, with 14% citing online gaming platforms.[Deutsche Welle]
  • UNICEF urged tech firms and lawmakers to redesign platforms for safety, close legal loopholes, and establish reliable reporting and support systems.[Deutsche Welle]

What remains uncertain

  • The full global magnitude of online sexual abuse remains uncertain, as the report's authors noted the actual scale is likely substantially higher than captured by self-reporting.[Deutsche Welle]

Sources