{
  "id": 8879842,
  "title": "1.5 Million Children in Pakistan Faced Online Sexual Abuse: Study",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/1-5-million-children-in-pakistan-faced-online-sexual-abuse-study",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T08:19:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/21/1-5-million-children-in-pakistan-faced-online-sexual-abuse-study/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A study backed by UNICEF reveals that approximately 1.5 million internet-using children aged 12 to 17 in Pakistan have experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in the past year, as reported by AFP. The case of a 17-year-old girl named Zara Shah highlights the issue, as she recounted a stranger approaching her during an online game and gaining her trust before pressuring her to share intimate images. The majority of perpetrators were already known to the victims in around 85% of the reported incidents, according to the Disrupting Harm in Pakistan report. Lead author Daniel Kardefelt explained that abuse often begins through seemingly harmless interactions on gaming platforms, through friendship, gifts, money, or romantic attention, with perpetrators spending significant time building trust using information from social media.\n\nOnly 71% of the surveyed victims disclosed their experiences to anyone, and none reported the abuse through formal channels like the police, helplines, or social workers. Fear, stigma, shame, and potential family repercussions were cited as the main reasons for the lack of reporting, particularly for girls in conservative households who might face restrictions on movement or education if discovered. Snapchat and WhatsApp were among the commonly used platforms for online abuse, with 44% of reported cases occurring entirely online, according to Mehek Naeem, director of children’s rights organization PAHCHAAN in Lahore. UNICEF estimates that 74% of Pakistani children aged 12 to 17 use the internet, emphasizing the significance of online safety as digital access expands.\n\nExperts emphasized that offenders can exploit financial vulnerability, fear, and social stigma, leading to a chain involving grooming, coercion, blackmail, creation, and distribution of exploitative material. Punjab Assembly recently passed a resolution seeking restrictions on social media accounts for children under 16, including stronger age verification and child safety measures. However, digital rights activist Usama Khilji opposed the ban, stating that enforcement would be challenging and could be circumvented using VPNs, arguing that a blanket restriction would infringe on children’s freedom of expression. Although Pakistan has existing laws addressing technology-facilitated offenses against children, child rights advocates noted weak enforcement and gaps in the legal framework. UNICEF recommends stronger prevention, reporting mechanisms, victim support, and criminal justice responses to address the evolving risks of online sexual exploitation and blackmail.",
  "summary": "An estimated 1.5 million internet-using children aged 12 to 17 in Pakistan experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse within a … Read More The post 1.5 Million Children in Pakistan Faced Online Sexual Abuse: Study appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [
    "1.5 million Pakistani children aged 12-17 experienced online sexual abuse in past year.",
    "85% of perpetrators were known to victims, often through gaming platforms.",
    "Fear, stigma, and lack of reporting channels prevent victims from seeking help."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}