The phenomenon of missing children is reaching alarming levels in Italy. The organization Telefono Azzurro presented a distressing report during the conference “Invisible Children,” highlighting that 11,694 missing persons cases were registered in the first half of 2024. Of these, 69.6% were minors a total of 8,143 cases, which equates to 64 children going missing every day, reports Rks News.
According to the report, the majority of missing children are teenagers aged 16–17, with 58.1% being girls. In terms of nationality, 56.9% are Italian, while 41.67% are foreign nationals. The main reasons for disappearances include runaways from home, leaving care institutions, or unspecified causes.
Ernesto Caffo, president of Telefono Azzurro, warned that many of these children are at high risk of falling victim to trafficking and abuse. He also emphasized the negative impact of social pressure and digital content on the mental health of minors.
The situation is equally concerning at the international level. In the United States, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported handling around 30,000 cases during 2024 alone.
