BOGOTA: Facebook and TikTok failed to prevent Colombian armed groups from spreading social media content aimed at recruiting children and, in some cases, appeared to promote the posts, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned.
According to an HRW report, armed groups have used social media to present a misleading and attractive image of life within their ranks, including posts promoting money, status and a sense of belonging. The organisation said such content can expose children to recruitment and serious human rights abuses.
HRW estimates that around 1,500 children have been recruited by armed groups in Colombia since 2021. The organisation said children have been subjected to roles connected to armed groups, while some have faced severe risks and exploitation.
The report highlighted that Indigenous children account for almost half of documented child recruitment cases, despite Indigenous people representing a much smaller share of Colombia’s overall population. Girls make up around 40% of recruited children and face particular risks, including sexual violence.
Juanita Goebertus, HRW Americas director, said digital platforms must recognise that their services can be exploited for child recruitment and related crimes.
The report also described how armed groups use social media imagery to promote an appealing lifestyle. Mathew Charles, founder of the Mi Historia foundation, said such messaging can create unrealistic expectations about wealth and status and urged authorities and civil society organisations to develop stronger counter-narratives.
HRW said dissident groups that emerged from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were responsible for 74% of documented child recruitment cases between 2021 and 2025.
The organisation said it had alerted Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and TikTok owner ByteDance about the content. Both companies said they removed the specific material identified by HRW.
Meta said it continues to strengthen measures against child recruitment, while TikTok said it takes action against illegal armed groups and organised criminal groups using its platform to target or exploit minors.
Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement ended decades of conflict with the FARC, but armed groups remain active in remote regions.
The findings have renewed calls for social media companies and authorities to strengthen safeguards protecting children from online exploitation and recruitment.
