The digital age has transformed the way children learn, communicate and experience the world, but it has also created dangerous spaces where they can be targeted by predators. A new Unicef report highlights the alarming scale of the problem, revealing what can only be described as a global child exploitation emergency. The findings should serve as a wake-up call for governments, technology companies, parents and society at large.
According to the report, around 20 million internet-using children across 21 countries, including Pakistan, experienced some form of online sexual exploitation in a single year. Digital platforms accounted for about 60 per cent of reported violations, while another 14 per cent occurred through online gaming. More than one in five children surveyed became targets of sexual exploitation. Around 15 million were exposed to sexual images, while nearly four million had sexual material involving them shared without their permission. Even more troubling is the growing misuse of artificial intelligence: about 1.1 million children reportedly encountered AI-generated sexual images or videos depicting them.
These figures are deeply disturbing, but they may represent only a fraction of the actual problem. Many children never report abuse because of fear, shame, intimidation or the threat of social ostracisation. In numerous cases, perpetrators are people known to their victims, making disclosure even more difficult. The anonymity and reach of the internet further empower offenders, allowing them to approach children from virtually anywhere and exploit them through increasingly sophisticated methods.
Online abuse often develops gradually. What begins as seemingly harmless conversation or the exchange of inappropriate material can escalate into sexual solicitation, coercion, ‘sextortion’ and the creation or distribution of manipulated images. The rapid development of generative AI and deepfake technology has added another disturbing dimension, allowing offenders to create convincing sexualised material without the victim’s consent. The technology may be new, but the underlying exploitation is not; what has changed is the speed, scale and reach with which abuse can occur.
The consequences for victims can be devastating and long-lasting. Children subjected to technology-facilitated sexual exploitation may experience anxiety, depression, social isolation and suicidal thoughts. The psychological damage can extend well into adulthood, affecting education, employment, relationships and overall productivity. An online violation does not necessarily end when the screen is switched off. Once harmful material is circulated on the internet, removing every copy can be virtually impossible, leaving victims with the continuing fear that the abuse may resurface at any time.
This is why digital safety must become an essential part of child protection. Governments need laws that are clear, precise and enforceable, while technology companies must be held accountable for creating safer platforms and responding swiftly to reports of abuse. Legislation without effective implementation, however, will have little impact. Regulatory and enforcement failures should carry meaningful consequences, particularly where authorities or platforms fail to act despite clear warnings.
Pakistan also needs to seriously consider stronger safeguards for children using social media. Restrictions on social-media access for younger teenagers, including under-16s, deserve careful consideration, particularly in light of the risks highlighted by international evidence. Such measures, however, should be designed intelligently so that children are not unnecessarily cut off from educational resources, communication and legitimate opportunities to use technology.
Parents and guardians have an equally important role. Children need to be taught from an early age how to recognise manipulation, coercion and suspicious online behaviour, and they must know that they can approach trusted adults without fear of punishment or humiliation. Parents should maintain an active, age-appropriate interest in their children’s digital lives rather than assuming that online activity is harmless simply because it takes place inside the home.
At the same time, completely shutting children out of the digital world is neither practical nor desirable. The internet has become an important source of education, information and social interaction. Excessive restrictions could deprive young people of opportunities to learn and develop essential digital skills. The objective should therefore be to create a safer digital environment, not to eliminate children’s access to it.
This requires greater investment in enforcement capabilities. Police officers and investigators need specialised training to identify and pursue online predators, while Pakistan should consider developing dedicated cyber-patrol capabilities to detect criminal activity and protect vulnerable users. Reporting mechanisms must also be made easier, faster and more accessible. Children and families should be encouraged to report suspicious accounts, dangerous online communities and abusive behaviour without fear of stigma.
Technology will continue to evolve, and criminals will inevitably seek new ways to exploit it. That makes digital child protection a continuing responsibility rather than a problem that can be solved through a single law or policy. Governments, parents, schools, technology companies and civil society must work together to ensure that children can benefit from the digital revolution without becoming its victims.
The internet should be a gateway to knowledge and opportunity, not a hunting ground for predators. Protecting children online requires vigilance, investment and accountability. An evolving cyberspace may be difficult to secure completely, but society cannot allow technological progress to come at the cost of permanently damaging the lives of its youngest and most vulnerable members.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
