Opportunities and threats for adolescent well-being provided by digital transformations

Adolescents are growing up in an increasingly digital world. Whilst their access to – and engagements with – the digital world are diverse, adolescents’ direct and indirect experiences of digital environments, and the technologies which mediate these interactions, are increasingly important determinants of adolescent well-being. In this background paper, we explore digital transformations – the process of integration of digital technologies and data analytics into all areas of life – across five domains of adolescent well-being: connectedness, positive values, and contribution to society; good health and optimum nutrition; safety and a supportive environment; learning, competence, education, skills, and employability; and agency and resilience. We identify ways in which digital transformations can support or undermine adolescent well-being in each domain and underscore some implications for policy and programming. Digital technologies and the data they generate offer enormous potential for improving adolescent well-being through increasing adolescents’ access to services and information, and creating new opportunities for communication, learning, self-expression, and civic participation. At the same time, poorly designed and governed digital tools can undermine adolescents’ rights and expose them to multiple forms of exploitation and harm. To ensure that all adolescents can benefit from digital transformations, the digital divide must be closed. Digital environments and tools also need to be (re)designed with adolescents’ rights and well-being put ahead of commercial interests. Equipping adolescents and their caregivers with digital literacy and skills will enable them to better prepare for an increasingly digitally-connected society and to manage risks inherent to life online. As more adolescents are connected around the world, and the influence of digital transformations on their lives increases, the case for stronger governance of digital environments, technologies, and data will continue to grow. National, ...