The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2832 (2026), introduced by Greece, to address the impact of digital technologies on violations and abuses against children in armed conflict and examine how technology can help prevent them. All 15 Council members voted in favour, while more than 90 countries co-sponsored the resolution.
Greek Ambassador Aglaia Balta, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, chaired the meeting as Greece holds the Security Council presidency for October.
Presenting the draft resolution on behalf of Greece, Balta thanked Council members for their constructive participation in the negotiations and acknowledged the countries that co-sponsored the text. She also thanked the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, UNICEF, UNESCO and civil society partners for their cooperation and support.
“Recruitment through a smartphone is still recruitment,” Balta stressed, noting that armed groups recruit children through social media and messaging platforms, exposing them to exploitation, coercion and online radicalisation.
She questioned whether the Security Council could remain silent while others exploited the digital dimension of serious violations against children.
Balta said the resolution strengthens the existing framework by addressing violations regardless of the means used to commit them. She clarified that the text seeks to protect children from harm in digital environments rather than regulate technical aspects of digital content.
References to information integrity, she added, do not seek to restrict freedom of expression but aim to address violence fuelled by such content.
Resolution targets online recruitment and abuse
The resolution expresses deep concern over the growing use of social media, gaming platforms and encrypted communication tools by parties to armed conflicts to commit violations against children. These include recruitment and use of children, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual violence.
It calls for the immediate cessation of the recruitment, use or re-recruitment of children in violation of applicable international obligations, including practices carried out through digital technologies.
The resolution also urges states to incorporate measures addressing digital risks into their national child protection systems. These measures should include secure reporting mechanisms, appropriate services and support that places victims and survivors at its centre.
It calls for safeguards against exploitation and re-victimisation, protection of personal data and stronger accountability. It also stresses the need to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capabilities and ensure that victims can access justice and essential services.
Education and digital safety among key priorities
The resolution encourages investment in distance learning, digital literacy and infrastructure, alongside psychosocial support and measures to bridge the digital divide.
It recognises that digital solutions should “complement, not replace” in-person child protection and education. It also encourages efforts to strengthen teachers’ skills and share lessons learned and best practices, in line with relevant mandates and available resources.
The text promotes cooperation between governments and the private sector, subject to appropriate safeguards. It encourages digital service providers to design safer products, limit children’s exposure to harmful content and contacts, and cooperate with child protection mechanisms.
It also addresses effective age-assurance mechanisms and measures to prevent the use of digital products for recruitment and other violations against children.
Security Council members outline priorities
China supported timely action by the Security Council while calling for respect for states’ territorial sovereignty, cooperation within existing mandates and implementation without additional budgetary burdens. It also emphasised data security and the use of technology to support education.
Denmark called for a stronger regulatory framework governing major technology companies and more explicit references to international law, gender-based violence and monitoring mechanisms.
Latvia stressed that “the same rights people have offline must also be protected online”, highlighting the heightened risks facing girls.
The United States congratulated Greece on securing unanimous adoption of the resolution.
“No child should be deprived of safety, protection or education because of armed conflict,” the US representative said.
Liberia, which co-sponsored and voted in favour of the text, welcomed its emphasis on education, digital resilience and data protection.
Somalia supported the resolution’s objectives but raised concerns about national ownership of its implementation, the availability of resources and technical assistance, and the protection of sensitive data. It called for greater recognition of regional organisations and stressed that international support should strengthen national institutions.
Greece stresses UN mandate and international commitment
During Greece’s intervention, the country emphasised the need to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of the UN mandate and its established mechanisms.
Greece again thanked Security Council members and co-sponsoring countries, noting that it had demonstrated the greatest possible flexibility to bridge differing positions during negotiations.
“Protecting children in armed conflict is an integral part of maintaining international peace and security,” Balta said, reaffirming Greece’s unwavering commitment to the issue.
The resolution received support from more than 90 co-sponsors, including Australia, Cyprus, France, Germany, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside countries from every region.
(Source: AMNA)
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