Today, nearly all 15-year-olds in OECD countries own smartphones—98% to be exact. This widespread access offers unprecedented opportunities. Children learn, play, and connect online like never before. Yet, this digital immersion carries risks.
A new OECD report stresses the need for a balanced, evidence-based approach. It calls for public policies, safety features in apps, and guidance for parents and educators. These elements can help children navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.
WHAT THE OECD REPORT REVEALS
The report How’s Life for Children in the Digital Age? provides a detailed snapshot of children’s digital lives across OECD countries. It uses 45 measurable indicators to track digital access, online social habits, risks, and protective behaviors.
For example, 51% of 15-year-olds say they can easily adjust privacy settings. But 27.6% admit to sharing false information online. And 17% feel anxious when away from their devices. These figures highlight both digital empowerment and vulnerabilities.
GROWING CONCERNS: CYBERBULLYING AND SCREEN TIME
Cyberbullying is rising across OECD countries, the report finds. A notable minority struggle with problematic social media use. Excessive screen time displaces vital activities like reading, exercise, and face-to-face socializing. These activities are essential for healthy cognitive and emotional growth.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann emphasizes cooperation. “All stakeholders must unite to protect children online,” he says. “We must also consider their offline lives, as risks in both realms reinforce each other.”
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFER DIGITAL SPACES
The report urges governments to strengthen regulations and promote digital literacy. It also calls for support systems for parents and educators. Expanding data collection on children’s online activities is key to crafting effective policies.
Current data gaps limit understanding. Many countries lack comprehensive insights on screen time duration, activity types, and their impacts on various age groups. Filling these gaps will improve monitoring and risk mitigation.
A GROWING DATA LANDSCAPE WITH GAPS TO FILL
Encouragingly, data collection on children’s digital use is growing worldwide. Still, much remains unknown. The report recommends better use of existing data sources and capturing diverse perspectives. These include those of parents, children, educators, digital service providers, and health experts.
Incorporating children’s voices into policy design is also critical. It helps ensure that solutions address real needs and challenges children face online.
DIGITAL CHILDHOOD: BALANCING RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Children’s online lives are complex and evolving. The OECD report provides a crucial framework to safeguard well-being while unlocking digital benefits. It calls on all sectors to work together for safer, smarter digital environments.
Only by embracing a multi-faceted approach can society help children thrive in a digital age.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 98% of 15-year-olds in OECD countries own smartphones.
- The OECD report uses 45 indicators to track children’s digital habits.
- Over a quarter of children share false info; cyberbullying is increasing.
- Excessive screen time reduces time for reading, exercise, and socializing.
- Policies must combine regulation, digital literacy, and parental guidance.
- Data gaps remain on screen time and activity impacts across ages.
- Capturing stakeholder and children’s perspectives improves policy design.
