The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted Resolution 2832 (2026), calling for stronger measures to protect children affected by armed conflict from violations and abuses facilitated by digital technologies, while promoting their safe use for education and child protection. It is the Council's 15th resolution on children and armed conflict, and the first to address the digital dimension directly.

The resolution condemns all violations of applicable international law involving the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict, as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abductions, and attacks against schools and hospitals. It demands that parties to armed conflicts immediately end violations against children, including their recruitment and use through digital technologies.

The text, sponsored by Greece and co-sponsored by 92 countries, calls on member states to place children's needs at the centre of digital policymaking and to take measures consistent with international law to prevent the exploitation of children in harmful online activities — with particular attention to the growing risks of technology-facilitated violence against girls.

It also encourages the UN Secretary-General, working with his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, UNICEF and other UN bodies, to gather information and lessons learned on the risks and benefits of digital technologies in protecting children affected by armed conflict, and to strengthen children's digital safety and literacy.

Greece's ambassador to the UN, Aglaia Balta, told the Council before the vote that violations against children remain grave offences whatever technology is used. 'Recruitment through a smartphone is still recruitment,' she said. 'A mandate that cannot see where violations begin is a mandate that falls behind.' She described the resolution as an opening step: 'This resolution does not close the chapter on this urgent issue; it opens it.'

Sources: UN Media / UN Audiovisual Library, 'Children and armed conflict — Security Council, 10247th meeting', 19 October 2026; The Chronicle (Philippines), 'UN Security Council adopts resolution to protect children from digital threats in conflict zones', 20 October 2026.