Unicef representative in Malaysia Robert Gass, who made the revelation at the Asean ICT Forum on Child Online Protection today, pointed out that the danger children face in a rapidly evolving digital landscape is growing.

“Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), rapid connectivity, and digital access are outpacing the laws, regulations and systems designed to protect children, thus exposing them to new and growing dangers,” he said.

He said that globally, reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material surged from nearly 7,000 cases in 2024 to about 440,000 in just the first half of 2025.

Instances of “sextortion”, where children are coerced into sharing intimate images, are also rising, often involving AI-generated content or manipulative chatbots.

However, Gass said that keeping children offline is a limitation rather than protection.

“Real safety comes from creating a digital world that prioritises children, where safety, privacy, and inclusion are embedded by design, not added as an afterthought,” he said.

He also highlighted the role of schools, families, and communities as the first line of defence, adding that child-friendly reporting systems remain critical.

“At present, only 3% of schoolchildren say they would seek help using a public reporting tool if something went wrong online. That must change.”

Gass also said that protecting children online is not the responsibility of any single group.

“Governments, technology companies, educators, parents, civil society, and children themselves all have a role to play. Children must remain at the heart of our efforts. They are not subjects of policy, they are partners in design,” he added.