The global prevalence of cyberbullying affecting children is estimated between 15% and 20%, with the actual figure potentially higher, according to a report delivered Tuesday to the United Nations Human Rights Council by Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children.
M’jid warned that advancements in artificial intelligence are accelerating cyberbullying and strengthening its connection to other forms of criminal violence. Her address highlighted a recent survey conducted by her office, encompassing over 30,000 children worldwide, which revealed that 66% believe cyberbullying has increased. The survey also found that half of all children are unsure how or where to report incidents and seek assistance.
The rise of AI-powered tools is transforming the nature of online harassment, making it faster, more targeted, and more difficult to detect, M’jid explained. Specifically, she cited the increasing utilize of “deepfakes,” digital “nudification” tools, and voice cloning technologies as weapons to humiliate, coerce, and harass children.
“Children often place too much trust in AI tools and may not be able to discern whether they are interacting with a real person or not, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation,” M’jid stated.
A 2025 global survey by Microsoft indicated that 21% of children experienced cyberbullying in the previous year, with 37% identifying it as their primary online safety concern. The data also points to children perceived as “different” or marginalized as being disproportionately exposed to these forms of violence. Victims report being targeted based on physical appearance, race, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, health status, weight, or socioeconomic status.
M’jid emphasized the severe consequences of cyberbullying, including psychological distress and irreparable damage to reputation, which can have lifelong impacts. In extreme cases, she noted, cyberbullying can contribute to suicidal ideation, and attempts.
Despite the growing awareness of the problem, many children remain hesitant to report cyberbullying due to fear of stigma, lack of awareness about reporting mechanisms, or concerns about rejection from peers or judgment from adults.
Najat Maalla M’jid has a long history of advocating for children’s rights. Prior to her current role, she served as the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography from 2008 to 2014, and founded the Moroccan NGO Bayti, dedicated to protecting and reintegrating street children. She has also worked as a pediatrician and has been involved in the development of child protection strategies and policies internationally.
The UN representative highlighted ongoing initiatives to combat cyberbullying, including the development of legal and regulatory frameworks, online child protection strategies, digital literacy education, and AI-powered tools for detecting harmful content. However, no immediate next steps or specific policy changes were announced following her address to the Human Rights Council.
