Defining digital wellbeing

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

• Developmental: cognitive ability, achievement in education, managing financial responsibility with maturation, personal growth
• Emotional: healthy emotional and spiritual development, the ability to cope with stress and setbacks, development of values and a positive outlook, space and opportunities to flourish; life purpose; autonomy; feeling successful.
• Physical: achieving and maintaining health, developing physical capabilities, using tech in physical safety, and amount of necessary access to supportive or accessibility tech.
• Social: participation in the community, being an active citizen, working with others, healthy online interactions, positive and sustainable online personae, managing risks, good relationships online and off, and communication.

Developing the Index

The digital world is endemic in many children’s lives as it constantly grows and changes. Yet, the social norms and protections have been much slower to resolve meaning there remain considerable concerns. Much of the growth and changes are unregulated, with few social and legal constraints protecting children and young people.

The Index can help track these changes year-on-year, highlighting 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.

Supporting children’s online safety

Research from the Index puts emphasis on 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 Index not only helps guide Internet Matters’ creation of resources and tools to support parents, carers and educators. It also 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.

My Family’s Digital Toolkit

Informed by our research and families’ needs, the Digital Toolkit offers parents advice tailored to their child’s online interests and activities.

Take a few minutes to answer some questions about your children’s habits. Then, receive relevant advice and information to support their online safety and wellbeing.

GET YOUR TOOLKIT