Two-thirds of children worldwide report an increase in cyberbullying.

Around two-thirds of children worldwide report an increase in cyberbullying, and one in two children say they don't know where or how to get the support they need. These findings were obtained from a survey conducted by the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children.

The published report emphasizes the need for the entire online ecosystem to act quickly in the interests of children. The study comes amid reports of growing threats to children related to conflict, displacement, poverty, and rising levels of violence. "We are once again in a world fraught with challenges, where children pay the heaviest 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.

More than 30,000 children from all regions of the world participated in the survey. The study's authors note that artificial intelligence is "fundamentally changing the nature of 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 can spread rapidly across multiple platforms.

Given that AI can create deepfake photos and videos, as well as manipulate children through chatbots and other tools, children often cannot distinguish between interactions with an algorithm and real people. Deepfakes are "increasingly being used to humiliate, threaten, and exploit children online," warns the Office of the Special Representative.

The report also notes that children are often afraid to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, adult condemnation, or rejection by peers. The consequences of not reporting these incidents can be devastating, ranging from psychological distress to damage to one's reputation. In the most tragic situations, this 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. Only joint action can protect children from online threats while simultaneously ensuring their safe participation in the digital environment.