As digital technologies have advanced, the risks children are exposed to have significantly evolved – both in complexity and nature. However, different types of risk have different drivers, so no single policy action can mitigate all of them. 

The OECD’s Typology of Risk strives to make sense of this complicated landscape, categorising four different types of risk: content, conduct, contact and consumer risks. Other risks that children face in the digital environment, particularly privacy risks and risks from advanced technologies, can affect broad aspects of their lives, as well as their susceptibility to the four main risk categories. Ultimately, all of these risks can also affect children’s health and well-being.

The digital environment offers a multitude of opportunities for children – affording them spaces for learning, play, social connection and leisure. It is integrated into children’s daily lives and they value their digital spaces. Legal and policy action should recognise that reality and focus not only on preventing harm, but also on promoting benefits.

The OECD Recommendation on Children in the Digital Environment calls on policy makers to do just that, recommending that policy measures be proportionate to risk and formulated to maximise the opportunities and benefits for children in the digital environment. 

Education systems around the world are implementing policies and practices to support children’s digital skills development, and minimising digital skills gaps is high on policy agendas.  

Digital skills are not only essential for children to participate in digital education, but also for them to be able to seize opportunities and enjoy their rights, such as the right to play and to access information in the digital environment. Knowing how to safely enjoy digital media can be empowering for children, in particular when faced with challenges such as exposure to false or misleading content. The OECD Recommendation on Children in the Digital Environment recognises digital literacy as an essential tool, including for increasing children’s resilience against mis and disinformation.