In a rapidly advancing digital world, children are paying the highest price. The United Nations (UN) has sounded a global alarm: the advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only transforming technology, but is also acting as a powerful amplifier of cyberbullying against children, making it a faster, more targeted, and tragically, harder-to-detect threat. During her address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M'jid, revealed shocking figures. It is estimated that between 15% and 20% of children worldwide are victims of online bullying, although the actual figure could be much higher due to victims remaining silent. “Generative AI is fundamentally transforming the threat,” M'jid stated, linking this phenomenon to other forms of criminal violence. The official noted that new technological tools, especially those based on generative artificial intelligence, are transforming these digital aggressions by making them faster, more specific, and harder to detect. A recent survey conducted by M'jid's office, with the participation of more than 30,000 children from all regions of the world, revealed that 66% believe cyberbullying has increased in recent years. Furthermore, one in two children said they did not know where or how to report a case or ask for help. The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, described these results as “alarming trends” and stressed the need for governments, technology companies, and civil society to act more quickly to protect children in the digital environment. Artificial intelligence is changing the face of cyberbullying. According to the report, the advancement and accessibility of artificial intelligence have profoundly transformed cyberbullying.Tools capable of generating fake images, manipulating photographs, or cloning voices are being used with increasing frequency to humiliate, threaten, or extort minors online. Among the most commonly used resources are so-called "deepfakes," digitally manipulated videos or images that can spread false information or humiliating content about a person. These technologies allow bullying to spread rapidly across multiple platforms and social networks.

The UN official warned that many children rely too heavily on these tools and cannot always distinguish whether they are interacting with real people or automated systems, making them more vulnerable to manipulation and misinformation.

A 2025 global survey by the technology company Microsoft supports this concern: 21% of children reported being victims of cyberbullying in the past year, while 37% indicated that online safety is their top concern when using the internet.

Victims targeted because of their appearance or identity

Studies also show that the children most exposed to cyberbullying are often those perceived as “different” or marginalized. Online harassment frequently targets a child's physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, health status, or economic situation. Furthermore, many children hesitate to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, rejection by their peers, or judgment from adults. The consequences can be devastating. The report warns that cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and lasting damage to victims' reputations, as the dissemination of humiliating content online can go viral in seconds. In the most extreme cases, this digital harassment has led to self-harm and even suicide among minors. Given this reality, the United Nations called for strengthening child protection policies online, promoting digital literacy, and developing technological tools to detect harmful content before it spreads. The official emphasized that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. “The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them,” she concluded.Digitally manipulated videos or images that can spread false information or humiliating content about a person. These technologies allow harassment to spread rapidly across multiple platforms and social networks.

The UN official warned that many children rely too heavily on these tools and cannot always distinguish whether they are interacting with real people or automated systems, making them more vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation.

A 2025 global survey by the technology company Microsoft supports this concern: 21% of children reported being victims of cyberbullying in the past year, while 37% indicated that online safety is their top concern when using the internet.

Victims targeted because of their appearance or identity

Studies also show that the children most exposed to cyberbullying are often those perceived as “different” or marginalized. Online harassment frequently targets a child's physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, health status, or economic situation. Furthermore, many children hesitate to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, rejection by their peers, or judgment from adults. The consequences can be devastating. The report warns that cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and lasting damage to victims' reputations, as the dissemination of humiliating content online can go viral in seconds. In the most extreme cases, this digital harassment has led to self-harm and even suicide among minors. Given this reality, the United Nations called for strengthening child protection policies online, promoting digital literacy, and developing technological tools to detect harmful content before it spreads. The official emphasized that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. “The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them,” she concluded.Digitally manipulated videos or images that can spread false information or humiliating content about a person. These technologies allow harassment to spread rapidly across multiple platforms and social networks.

The UN official warned that many children rely too heavily on these tools and cannot always distinguish whether they are interacting with real people or automated systems, making them more vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation.

A 2025 global survey by the technology company Microsoft supports this concern: 21% of children reported being victims of cyberbullying in the past year, while 37% indicated that online safety is their top concern when using the internet.

Victims targeted because of their appearance or identity

Studies also show that the children most exposed to cyberbullying are often those perceived as “different” or marginalized. Online harassment frequently targets a child's physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, health status, or economic situation. Furthermore, many children hesitate to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, rejection by their peers, or judgment from adults. The consequences can be devastating. The report warns that cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and lasting damage to victims' reputations, as the dissemination of humiliating content online can go viral in seconds. In the most extreme cases, this digital harassment has led to self-harm and even suicide among minors. Given this reality, the United Nations called for strengthening child protection policies online, promoting digital literacy, and developing technological tools to detect harmful content before it spreads. The official emphasized that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. “The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them,” she concluded.21% of children reported being victims of cyberbullying in the past year, while 37% indicated that online safety is their main concern when using the internet.

Victims Targeted Because of Their Appearance or Identity

Studies also show that children most exposed to cyberbullying are often those perceived as “different” or marginalized. Online attacks frequently target their physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, health status, or economic situation.

Furthermore, many children hesitate to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, rejection by their peers, or being judged by adults. The consequences can be devastating. The report warns that cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and lasting damage to victims' reputations, as the dissemination of humiliating content online can go viral in a matter of seconds. In the most extreme cases, these digital attacks have led to self-harm and even suicide among minors. Faced with this reality, the United Nations called for strengthening child protection policies online, promoting digital literacy, and developing technological tools that can detect harmful content before it spreads. The official insisted that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. "The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them," she concluded.21% of children reported being victims of cyberbullying in the past year, while 37% indicated that online safety is their main concern when using the internet.

Victims Targeted Because of Their Appearance or Identity

Studies also show that children most exposed to cyberbullying are often those perceived as “different” or marginalized. Online attacks frequently target their physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, health status, or economic situation.

Furthermore, many children hesitate to report cyberbullying for fear of stigma, rejection by their peers, or being judged by adults. The consequences can be devastating. The report warns that cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and lasting damage to victims' reputations, as the dissemination of humiliating content online can go viral in a matter of seconds. In the most extreme cases, these digital attacks have led to self-harm and even suicide among minors. Faced with this reality, the United Nations called for strengthening child protection policies online, promoting digital literacy, and developing technological tools that can detect harmful content before it spreads. The official insisted that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. "The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them," she concluded.Promote digital education and develop technological tools that allow for the detection of harmful content before it spreads. The official insisted that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. “The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them,” she concluded.Promote digital education and develop technological tools that allow for the detection of harmful content before it spreads. The official insisted that the solution requires the participation of governments, technology companies, schools, families, and young people themselves to build a safer digital environment. “The digital future should not be designed just for children, but with them,” she concluded.