Thursday, July 16, 2026

300 million children affected annually by online sexual exploitation: Childlight Institute

Over 300 million children are affected annually by this pandemic, equivalent to about 10 cases every second or nearly 830,000 cases per day.

• February 11, 2025
Children using phones
Children using phones [Credit: IT News Africa]

In the course of Safer Internet Day, more than 800,000 children globally can expect to experience some form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse.

According to a statement on Monday, the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute estimates that over 300 million children are affected annually by this pandemic, equivalent to about 10 cases every second or nearly 830,000 cases per day.

The group, hosted by the University of Edinburgh, said this points to a problem that is more widespread than other major childhood public health problems like asthma and obesity.

It can involve unwanted sharing of photos, deepfake images and sexual extortion – forever altering young lives, stated the child rights organisation. But while it is prevalent in every country, “it is measured, and it continues to grow, it is preventable, not inevitable,” it added.

Childlight COO Zoe Lambourne said, “Now is the time to shift to a prevention-focused approach that stops child sexual exploitation and abuse before it begins, saving children from irreversible harm rather than scrambling to deal with the terrible consequences.

“The world has come together before to prevent harm on a comparable scale, as with COVID-19 and HIV/AIDs. We must do so again with urgency because children can’t wait.”

Childlight highlighted that accurate data “must be the foundation of a preventative approach” to understanding the scale and nature of the problem, the risk factors and drivers, and what interventions can make a difference, ranging from education programmes to powerful legislation.

Evidence over the past decade has linked child sexual abuse to adverse mental health, physical health (including cancers, chronic disease and even early death), negative educational outcomes, and under-employment – harming children and wider society, the statement added.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

APC chieftains in Lagos

Politics

APC chieftain urges members to unite for candidates’ victory

Akanni Seriki, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, has urged APC members to work to ensure the victory of all the party’s candidates across the country in 2027.

Davido

Showbiz

I splurge $300,000 monthly on personal lifestyle: Davido

“I spend $200K-$300K monthly, minus my wife, family, buying cars and jewellery,” said Davido.

Nigerian Soldiers

Abuja

Army says alleged illegal mining kingpin, three others arrested in Abuja

According to the military, the principal suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation to sponsoring an illegal mining operation.

William Okoye, the founder and general overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission

Abuja

CAN mourns ex-Aso Rock chaplain William Okoye

CAN has expressed deep sadness over the passing of William Okoye, the founder and general overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission.

Pete Hegseth

World

U.S. soldiers to be screened for testosterone deficiency

The U.S. secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, on Wednesday, said soldiers who are 30 years old and older would be screened for ‘testosterone deficiency’.

SpaceX, Elon Musk

Economy

SpaceX shares slide below IPO price for first time

Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s shares stumbled below their initial public offering (IPO) price for the first time on Wednesday, just over a month after the company went public.