The United Nations has warned that armed groups in Colombia are increasingly targeting children through social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. The UN Human Rights Office in Colombia reported 474 verified cases of child recruitment or use from 2022 to 2024, with a disturbing rise in 2025.

Scott Campbell, Colombia's representative for the UN high commissioner for human rights, condemned the use of social media by illegal groups, describing it as "horrific, toxic, and ugly." He emphasized that these groups are exploiting platforms to recruit children, using enticing videos that show "parties, designer clothes, and heavy weapons" to promote a lifestyle of violence and criminality.

Promises of Wealth and Freedom to Youngsters

Experts have revealed that social media posts often promise children motorbikes, mobile phones, money, and even cosmetic surgery for girls. Such recruitment methods are gaining traction, especially through viral videos with up to 625,000 views. The UN has criticized social media companies for not addressing the situation with enough urgency, drawing comparisons to the resources they would commit if similar recruitment were happening in countries like the United States or the UK.

Worsening Violence and Child Recruitment

The issue of child recruitment is closely linked to rising violence in Colombia, where armed groups continue to battle for control over territories, particularly in border areas near Venezuela. Recent attacks, including bombings and shootings, have intensified the already dire situation, with the first quarter of 2025 seeing a significant uptick in child recruitments.

Human rights groups have raised alarms about the ongoing use of minors by these groups, recalling the widespread recruitment of children by the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the past. Since the peace agreement with FARC in 2016, child recruitment has remained a persistent problem, with minor recruits reported nearly every 48 hours.

Social Media's Role in the Crisis

While platforms like Meta (Facebook's parent company) and TikTok claim they are working with state entities to remove harmful content, experts argue that more robust actions are needed. The recruitment of minors via these platforms is a critical issue, and the international community is urging stronger measures to protect vulnerable youth.