What is the nature of childhood today? On a number of measures, modern children’s lives have clearly improved thanks to better public safety and support for their physical and mental health. New technologies help children to learn, socialise and unwind, and older, better-educated parents are increasingly playing an active role in their children's education. At the same time, we are more connected than ever before, and many children have access to tablets and smartphones before they learn to walk and talk. Twenty-first century children are more likely to be only children, increasingly pushed to do more by “helicopter parents” who hover over their children to protect them from potential harm. In addition to limitless online opportunities, the omnipresent nature of the digital world brings new risks, like cyber-bullying, that follow children from the schoolyard into their homes.This report examines modern childhood, looking specifically at the intersection between emotional well-being and new technologies. It explores how parenting and friendships have changed in the digital age. It examines children as digital citizens, and how best to take advantage of online opportunities while minimising the risks. The volume ends with a look at how to foster digital literacy and resilience, highlighting the role of partnerships, policy and protection.

Electronic reproduction.

Foreword -- Executive summary -- Contributors -- Setting the stage: 21st century children -- Childhood in the digital age -- Children and digital technologies: Trends and outcomes -- Trends in children’s emotional well-being -- Children's relationships in the 21st century: Parenting and friendships in the 21st century -- Online and offline relationships -- Digital parenting and the datafied child -- The social context of adolescent relationships -- Online opportunities and risks: ensuring child well-being: Children's time online and well-being outcomes -- Youth inequalities in digital interactions and well-being -- Child protection online -- Children as digital citizens: policies and partnerships to foster digita literacy and resilience -- Fostering digital literacy and well-being -- Empowering an active and ethical (digital) generation -- Building capacity: Teacher education and partnerships.