A/69/264 86. Child victims of violence, whether online or offline, come from all walks of life. But, factors such as age, disability or social exclusion can have an important bearing on children’s online activities, and on children’s ability to cope with potential risks. 87. Younger children may lack the capacity to identify risks. Other vulnerable children, including those out of school, who come from a low socioeconomic background or belong to a minority, and children with disabilities, may be less likely to enjoy the benefits offered by the online environment or to receive information regarding safe Internet use. They may also be more likely to be bullied, harassed or exploited online. Without decisive action, the digital divide threatens to reinforce or exacerbate existing patterns of disadvantage. The past years have been marked by the adoption of significant standards to combat cybercrime and protect children from risks online, including the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and important regional legal instruments. The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is the first treaty to address children’s protection from sexual violence in the face of challenges presented by technological developments, and to identify as an offence the solicitation of children for sexual purposes through ICTs, often known as “grooming”. The Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime criminalizes offences against and through computer systems, including child pornography; provides law enforcement with effective means to investigate cybercrime and secure electronic evidence; and offers a framework for international police and judicial cooperation in computer-related cases involving crimes against children. Both conventions can be adhered to by States from other regions. Combating cybercrime is also addressed by the 2001 Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Offences related to Computer Information, developed by the Commonwealth of Independent States; and the 2010 Arab Convention on Combating Information Technology Offences, promoted by the League of Arab States. The African Union’s draft Convention on the Establishment of a Legal Framework Conducive to Cybersecurity in Africa anticipates the criminalization of cybercrime activities, including computer-related harassment, extortion or causing personal harm, and the production, distribution or possession of child pornography. Understanding online risks and harm 88. A degree of risk is inherent in the use of ICTs, but the risk does not inevitably translate to harm for children and young people. The more children engage i n online activities, the more they gain skills and resilience, and become self -confident. In turn, the more skills they possess, the more opportunities they explore with greater chances to become confronted with associated risks. More skills can, however, also reduce the harm that children experience, and help children better cope with such risks. 14-58801 17/23