Young people’s digital lives and well-being

The Children's Society published in January 2022 a report that looks at the evidence on young people’s digital lives, including the impacts of being online and links to well-being.

Most young people take the internet for granted and it is integral to many aspects of their lives as they grow and develop through adolescence. Digital connectedness supports communication with friends and family, helps with building and maintaining relationships, facilitates education, provides entertainment and can allow a young person to explore their identity.

But the benefits are not shared equally by all young people. The quality of a young person’s digital life can be impaired by poor digital skills, compromised access to digital devices, insecure connections and a lack of parental support. Digital inequality among the young is often hidden but it has become more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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