The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a landmark resolution aimed at preventing violence against children through digital technologies during armed conflicts.
Adopted on Monday, the resolution calls on parties to conflicts to refrain from using social media, online gaming platforms and messaging services to recruit children.
It also urges member states to strengthen national child-protection systems, establish mechanisms for reporting digital abuse and provide assistance to affected children.
The resolution further encourages investment in distance-learning facilities and digital skills, while calling for greater support to developing countries to bridge the digital divide.
Greek Ambassador Aglaia Balta, President of the Security Council and sponsor of the resolution, said the measure would strengthen the international community’s collective response to risks evolving alongside rapid technological advances.
She warned that parties to armed conflicts were adapting their methods as digital technologies developed, stressing that failure to update existing approaches could widen the gap between established protections and emerging threats.
Although the resolution was adopted unanimously, the United States, Russia, China and Somalia subsequently expressed reservations.
According to the United Nations, 24,174 children experienced serious violations in armed conflicts in 2025, with 38,558 violations recorded — the highest number reported to date.
The resolution seeks to strengthen international efforts to protect children from recruitment, abuse and other forms of violence facilitated or intensified by digital technologies.
