A UNICEF report says around 1.5 million children in Pakistan faced online sexual exploitation over a one-year period.
The report says about 85% of affected children knew the person involved in their exploitation. Most victims were between 12 and 17 years old.
Around 71% of affected children reportedly did not tell anyone about what happened. None of the children surveyed reported the incident to formal services such as police, helplines or social workers.
The report says shame, stigma and fear of family reactions are major reasons for the silence.
Mehak Naeem, director of child rights organisation Pehchaan, said around 44% of reported cases happened entirely online. WhatsApp and Snapchat were among the platforms mentioned.
UNICEF says around 74% of children aged 12 to 17 in Pakistan use the internet. This makes online child safety an increasingly important concern.
According to the report, exploitation can begin with friendly conversations. Gaming, gifts, money and promises of affection can be used to build trust.
Experts have called for stronger implementation of existing laws. They also stressed the need to address online grooming, blackmail and exploitation.
