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Educating 21st Century Children

Emotional Well-being in the Digital Age

image of Educating 21st Century Children

What is the nature of childhood today? On a number of measures, modern children’s lives have clearly improved thanks to better public safety and support for their physical and mental health. New technologies help children to learn, socialise and unwind, and older, better-educated parents are increasingly playing an active role in their children's education.

At the same time, we are more connected than ever before, and many children have access to tablets and smartphones before they learn to walk and talk. Twenty-first century children are more likely to be only children, increasingly pushed to do more by “helicopter parents” who hover over their children to protect them from potential harm. In addition to limitless online opportunities, the omnipresent nature of the digital world brings new risks, like cyber-bullying, that follow children from the schoolyard into their homes.

This report examines modern childhood, looking specifically at the intersection between emotional well-being and new technologies. It explores how parenting and friendships have changed in the digital age. It examines children as digital citizens, and how best to take advantage of online opportunities while minimising the risks. The volume ends with a look at how to foster digital literacy and resilience, highlighting the role of partnerships, policy and protection.

English

Children and digital technologies: Trends and outcomes

Digital technologies are ubiquitous in the 21st century. Children are avid Internet users, and make use of a range of information and communication technologies. Across OECD countries, children spend more time online than ever before and at younger ages, despite the persistence of various digital inequalities. With this expansion of Internet use, children are exposed to different online risks, but can also make use of the vast array of online opportunities. However, parents, teachers and policy makers struggle to balance the potential opportunities with the fear of risks. This chapter serves as an overview of the various trends, patterns and outcomes of children’s digital technology use, and highlights some policy challenges faced by countries.

English

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