ICTlogy

Abstract:

Today's children are growing up in a rapidly evolving digital world, where digital media play an important role in their daily lives. Digital services offer opportunities for learning, entertainment, accessing information, discovering new things, and connecting with other peers and community members. However, they also pose risks, including problematic or excessive use of digital media, exposure to inappropriate content, harmful conducts, and other online safety concerns. The report How's Life for Children in the Digital Age? provides an overview of the current state of children's lives in the digital environment across OECD countries, based on the latest cross-national data. It explores the challenges of ensuring that children are both protected and empowered to use digital media in a beneficial way while managing potential risks. The report highlights the need for a whole-of-society, multi-sectoral policy approach, engaging digital service providers, health professionals, educators, experts, parents, and children to protect, empower, and support children, while also addressing offline vulnerabilities, with the ultimate aim of enhancing their well-being and future outcomes. Additionally, it calls for strengthening countries’ capacities to assess the impact of digital media on children's lives and to monitor rapidly evolving challenges.