Digital technology has transformed the world and changed the social landscape. As the influence of digital technology has increased by leaps and bounds, the debate around its impact on the children and youth has become significant.
Digital technology has given an impetus to education and learning outcomes with high-quality educational content, remote instruction, and has bridged the knowledge divide by creating both formal and informal learning pathways. Exposure to digital technology has helped develop awareness about society and the world among the children and youth by facilitating exploration and integration of information. It has provided children and youth a wider avenue of communication and means of psychological support amidst nuclearization of families and widening interpersonal gaps.Also it has increased the amount of sharing of creative works and help boost artistic abilities by providing much needed feedback to boost confidence.It has provided an opportunity to children and youth to amplify their voices and seek solutions to problems affecting their communities. By providing digital skills that enhance employability; making access to existing job opportunities, digital technology has expanded economic opportunity for adolescents and young adults entering the workforce.
The use of digital technology has been associated with physical inactivity and obesity, sleep distortions thus increasing the risk of health problems in future.There have also been growing evidences of negative impact of digital technology use cognitive and language development of young children.According to studies, overuse of digital technology has affected the psychological health for children and teens making them vulnerable to anxiety, depression, aggressive behaviour and other mental health issues. Of late, the WHO has recognised gaming disorder as a health disorder. Digital technology has made it difficult for adolescents to form identity and are jeopardized in balancing between real selves and digital versions of themselves. Impact on Evidences suggest that excessive overuse of media and technology distracts and negatively impact learning outcomes.Spending too much time on social media, games, other digital tools cost interpersonal communication with family members and society, thus undermining the social fabric.According to sociologists, children/ teen’s social skills are negatively affected or otherwise altered because their friendships and communications with peers are digitally mediated. Children and adolescents are vulnerable to unwelcome and inappropriate content such as sexual, pornographic and violent images; poor advertising; racist, discriminatory or hate-speech material; and websites/games advocating unhealthy or dangerous behaviours, such as self-harm or suicide. For example: Blue whale Game, Momo Challenge A major concern is theprivacy of children/ young adults who may not be equipped with levels of digital literacy necessary to assess as well as adopt measures of protection.Cyber bullying affects one’s self esteem and victims are more prone to use alcohol and drugs, not attend school, and experience in-person bullying and often lead to suicidal thoughts or even suicides. Advancement in technology has made children more accessible to sexual offenders through unprotected social media profiles and online game forums.
Policies related to cyber security, artificial intelligence, machine learning, net neutrality and digital access should adequately deal with children’s rights, privacy and welfare to help children and adolescents harness digital opportunities and protect from harm. It is important to take adequate safeguards to protect children from inappropriate content like pornography and prevent networks and services from disseminating child-abuse material. India’s Supreme Court directive (2015) and consequent ban on porn in India is a step in right direction. Imparting digital literacy to children, teens and the parents is the key to keep children and teens informed, engaged and safe online.The private sector (internet service providers, producers and providers of content and other digital goods) shouldadvance ethical standards and practices that protect and benefit children and teens online. Family has a large role to play in enhancing interpersonal communication through better communication, providing emotional support and being good digital role models for children.Educational institutions need to encourage social cohabitation, provide e-safety curriculum, value education and monitor student’s behaviour and mental health issues. Society and communities should help children and adolescents acquire good social skills by means of community programs, initiatives and activities
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