This Trends Alert analyses the accelerating exploitation of children by terrorist organisations worldwide, highlighting evolving recruitment ecosystems that combine traditional and sophisticated digital strategies. Drawing on UN monitoring mechanisms and Member State reporting, it identifies alarming increases in grave violations against children, including recruitment, trafficking, sexual violence, and use in combat and support roles.
The report outlines gender-differentiated recruitment strategies, including “masculine crisis narratives” targeting boys and purity-based messaging directed at girls. It also identifies significant gaps in Member State responses, particularly in prevention, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration frameworks.
The report concludes by calling for comprehensive, child-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches aligned with Security Council resolutions and child protection mandates, emphasising prevention, accountability and rights-based responses.