Children living in conflict zones are more vulnerable to all types of abuse, including recruitment to serve in government forces and armed opposition groups. The use of children in armed conflicts constitutes a violation of human rights, a war crime and a worse form of child labor, which according to Convention No. 182 of the ILO is defined as the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under the age of 18 for use in conflict organisations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay UNICEF defines child soldiers as “any child – male or female – under the age of eighteen years, who is part of any type of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity.” According to Human Rights Watch, thousands of children are currently serving as soldiers in armed conflicts around the world. Some of them are as young as 7. Children are often kidnapped, bribed or forcibly recruited to join armed groups they band together out of revenge, desperation, for reasons of protection, shelter and food, or to escape poverty. Child soldiers are a worldwide phenomenon, dating back to 2000, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict as a supplementary protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Wikipedia). The treaty under which states agree to prohibit the military conscription of children of age under the age of 18 and to ensure that military volunteers under the age of 18 are exempted from taking direct part in hostilities. According to Child Soldiers International, most of Europe and Africa have now adopted the Straight 18 standard, which bans children under 18 from joining state armed groups. However, Australia, China, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States allow enlistment from the age of 17. Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom allow enlistment from the age of 16. Children fight on the front lines, participate in suicide missions, act as spies, messengers or bomb makers, act as human shields and are used for sexual purposes. For example, during the Iran-Iraq War, child soldiers were sent forward in waves across the minefields. Children are very useful to armed groups for several reasons, as they are trusting, vulnerable, effective, easy to manipulate, quick learners, cheap, easily expandable, persistent - often in combat under the influence of drugs, they pose unique challenges to armies professionals adding confusion to battlefields and causing sympathetic hesitation in opposing forces. When the children survive, they may face many difficulties in the future after being soldiers at such a young age. As soldiers, children often take part in or witness horrific atrocities such as rape, beheadings and people being burned alive. Children live in trauma and may experience various mental health disorders. Many soldiers die and the rest are usually severely maimed. War disrupts children's development, deprives them of childhood, takes away the opportunity to receive an education, and permanently affects their future. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay These children's rights are violated on a daily basis and there are many ways we can help.