Cyber bullying affects one in ten students worldwide; AI fuels new threat: UNESCO

One in three students across the globe experiences bullying every month, while one in 10 faces cyber bullying, the UNESCO said, warning that AI is accelerating new forms of technology-facilitated violence (TFV). UNESCO's new policy brief, ‘Connected and Safe’, shows that nudification apps, voice cloning, automated harassment and AI companion apps used for grooming are now surfacing in school-based incidents across multiple regions.

The United Nations agency has called upon countries to invest in digital safety measures, teacher preparation, and mental health support for students, in coordination with technology companies. According to Khaled El-Enany, director-general of UNESCO, one in three learners experience bullying every month, while one in ten face cyber bullying.

Behind these figures are millions of children whose education, health and well-being are at risk, with consequences that can extend far beyond the classroom. "Online and technology-facilitated violence (TFV) is no longer a peripheral concern for education systems.