Children’s lives in times of pandemic: experiences from Colombia

Abstract

ABSTRACT This document aims to describe some experiences of children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. By analysing policy reports from national and international agencies, this document focuses on three themes: (i) the Digital Divide and Education; (ii) new home spaces, Internet Dangers, and Domestic Violence, and (iii) Hunger and Malnutrition in COVID-19 times. The views expressed in this document emerged from the author reflections and experiences and consider cultural and political perspectives of the analysed context to interpret the meaning of the themes. This document emphasizes how events during the pandemic have accentuated pre-existent social inequalities in the country (e.g. infant poverty and malnutrition, socioeconomic gaps in access to digital connectivity) that negatively affect the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children.