Well-Being in the Digital Age

Abstract

Digital technologies expand the boundaries of information available to people and enhance human productivity, but can also imply risks for people's well-being, ranging from job losses and cyber-bullying to breaches to online security and privacy. The report How's Life in the Digital Age?, prepared in the context of the OECD-wide Going Digital project, presents evidence on the opportunities and risks associated with the digital transformation based on 33 indicators. It shows that countries that have harnessed the largest benefits from the digital transformation can still be facing large risks. This implies that, through specific interventions, governments may help mitigate the adverse effects of digital technologies while allowing people to reap their benefits. Conversely, inadequate policies or lack of appropriate regulations may leave people exposed to the risks of the digital transformation without reaping its full benefits. The broader Going Digital project also addresses well-being aspects from the policy perspective. Key recommendations  Address digital divides to foster inclusiveness and avoid that the digital transformation compounds existing socioeconomic inequalities. Governments should provide equal internet access to all and ensure an inclusive use of digital technologies. The labour-market impacts of the digital transformation risk widening existing inequalities. These impacts should be addressed through a comprehensive set of active and passive labour market policies and regulations.  Empower people with a mixed skillset. The digital transformation requires that workers are equipped with a diverse set of skills. This situation requires governments to strengthen and extend their training programmes. Beyond labour market skills, evolving harmoniously in the digital society requires equipping young adults with new types of emotional and cognitive skills.  Realise the full potential of digital government and adapt regulatory frameworks to new digital security risks. While a user-driven approach can help governments improving their online services, developing strong, inclusive and interoperable privacy frameworks is also needed. Such frameworks are essential for managing digital security risks as well providing effective protection to online consumers.  Expand the evidence base needed to assess the well-being impacts of the digital transformation. Harmonised data on many aspects of the digital transformation are currently lacking. This limits research on key impacts, such as the impacts of online networking on people's social lives, the mental health effects of extreme Internet use, or the effects of automation of jobs and earnings. National Statistical Offices, other data collectors, researchers and policy analysts should design and implement new instruments to better capture the well-being impacts of the digital transformation. A digital divide remains, which may increase inequalities in well-being outcomes While more and more people in OECD countries have access to digital technologies, a digital divide persists (Figure 1). Inequalities in access and use of digital technologies by age, gender, education and other socioeconomic markers imply that certain groups are better placed than others in harnessing digital technologies for achieving better well-being outcomes in many life dimensions, such as jobs and income, health, work-life balance and social connections. For instance, almost one-third of people aged 55-65 lack computer experience or have failed tests for assessing core information and communication technology (ICT) skills, as compared with 5% among people aged 16-24.