A new UN report has raised alarm over the growing wave of cyberbullying among children, revealing that about two-thirds of young people worldwide say online harassment is increasing — with artificial intelligence playing a major role in amplifying the threat.
The findings were presented by Najat M’jid, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, who warned that rapidly evolving technologies are transforming how children are targeted online.
Drawing on responses from more than 30,000 children across different regions, the report highlights how generative AI tools are making cyberbullying faster, more sophisticated, and harder to detect. Harmful content can now spread across multiple platforms in seconds, exposing children to widespread humiliation and abuse.
According to the report, AI-generated deepfake images and videos are increasingly being used to harass or exploit young people online. In many cases, children struggle to recognise whether they are interacting with real people or AI-powered chatbots, making them more vulnerable to manipulation.
The study also found that many victims hesitate to report cyberbullying due to fear of stigma, rejection from peers, or judgment from adults. As a result, harmful content can circulate unchecked, causing emotional trauma and reputational damage within moments.
In extreme cases, the psychological impact of sustained online abuse has even pushed some children toward self-harm or suicide, the report warns.
M’jid called for urgent collaboration among governments, technology companies, educators, and parents to strengthen safeguards and ensure the digital space remains safe for children while allowing them to participate confidently online.
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