The Digital Wellbeing Research programme tracks the experiences of children in the online space to help families, educators, Industry and Government make effective and supportive changes.
Children's wellbeing online is impacted in many ways, both positive and negative. Our wellbeing programme highlights what these impacts might be so we can help families and educators keep children safe online.
Additionally, our findings work to inform actions needed by both Industry and Government to make the online space as safe as it can be for children and the most vulnerable.
The digital world is a key part of many children’s lives as it constantly grows and changes. Yet, the social norms and protections are often much slower to resolve, which means there remain considerable concerns. Much of the growth and changes are unregulated, with few social and legal constraints protecting children and young people.
Children’s Wellbeing in a Digital World takes responses from an annual survey that asks questions to both parents and children.
The Index helps to track changes in children’s online experiences year-on-year. Its findings highlights important opportunities to support all children and help them flourish in a digital world.
Additionally, those creating digital products, settings policy agenda or otherwise supporting, educating or parenting children can make informed decisions on how to do so.
Research from the Index emphasises the importance of supportive home environments and offers insights into the digital tools needed to help manage children’s wellbeing. Importantly, it highlights the areas in which children’s wellbeing might be most affected, including as they relate to children with vulnerabilities.
The Digital Wellbeing Index helps guide Internet Matters’ creation of resources and tools to support parents, carers and educators. Moreover, it helps inform sectors in Education and Policy to take action in ways that will most benefit children’s growth and safety as they interact with their online world.
While many ways exist to measure and define wellbeing, our Index follows a four-dimensional model. This model draws on broader literature and conversations with many people within different sectors. The four models are developmental, emotional, physical and social wellbeing.
The four-dimensional model
Get tailored advice for your child's interests and habits with My Family's Digital Toolkit.
GET YOUR TOOLKITYear 2 of the Children's Digital Wellbeing Index saw fewer positive effects of being online for UK children, particularly for 9-10-year-old girls, compared with the year before.
63% of parents believe time online negatively impacts their children’s health.
2/3 of children report experiencing online harms.
75% of children view technology and the internet as important to their independence.
2/3 of children say spending time online makes them feel mostly happy.
Explore our previous Index reports along with other digital wellbeing research.
Explore the research from last year's Index report to compare findings.
SEE THE RESEARCH
Explore the research from our first Index report for insight into changes year-on-year.
SEE THE RESEARCH
Explore the importance of parental influence on children’s digital activity and wellbeing.
SEE THE RESEARCH
Understand the links between the use of connected tech and wellbeing within families.
SEE THE RESEARCHSee research reports into a range of topics that impact children online.
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