Balancing digital literacy and children’s wellbeing: A call to action

Abstract

Balancing digital literacy and children’s wellbeing: A call to action Given children’s increased exposure to digital technologies, Leen d’Haenens from the University of Leuven discusses findings from a research project called ySKILLS, which aimed to enhance the positive impact of the digital environment on children’s wellbeing. As technology rapidly advances, the debate over when children should have mobile phones intensifies among parents, researchers, and experts. While concerns about the risks of mobile phones for children are prevalent, the potential benefits are often overlooked. Parents are increasingly using platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to discuss these issues, and in the US, tech giants face legal action for allegedly exploiting children’s vulnerabilities. Some parents liken delaying mobile phone access to regulating alcohol and cars until age 18, but this comparison may not be apt.