Children are more vulnerable than ever to online risks like cyberbullying and harmful content, and T&T companies must prioritise protecting youth in the digital landscape.
Ekin Björstedt
Secretary General, Global Child Forum
Global Child Forum
Global Child Forum Urges Tech & Telecom Giants to Prioritise Youth Safety Amid Escalating Mental Health Crisis
PRESS RELEASE
Stockholm, November 20
New Report Highlights Urgent Need for Stronger Protections for Children in the Digital Space
In recognition of UN World Children’s Day, Global Child Forum, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), is calling on Tech and Telecom (T&T) companies to address urgent gaps in safeguarding young users online.As mental health issues among children and teenagers reach crisis levels worldwide, Global Child Forum has recently released a new benchmark report calling on Tech and Telecom (T&T) companies to strengthen protections for young users.
The report, analysing 174 T&T companies and 1,628 companies across other sectors, reveals critical shortcomings in child protection efforts across the industry, despite its influence on young people’s digital experiences.
The urgency is underscored by recent data: an estimated 11.2 million youths in Europe under 19 are affected by mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Life satisfaction among 15-year-olds in the EU dropped from 74% in 2018 to 69% in 2022, with increased digital platform exposure contributing significantly.*
Children are more vulnerable than ever to online risks like cyberbullying and harmful content, and T&T companies must prioritise protecting youth in the digital landscape,” said Ekin Björstedt, Secretary General of Global Child Forum. “Our benchmark shows that while some companies are making progress, many, particularly in the IT Software & Services sector, are falling dangerously short.”
Key Findings from the Report:
- 60% of consumer-facing technology companies have no public commitments to product safety specifically for children.
- 56% of companies do not report on the impact of their products on children, a concerning statistic given the mental health challenges facing the first generation raised with smartphones and social media.
- The IT Software & Services B2C industry, which includes popular streaming services and online platforms, scored the lowest overall with an average of 4.4 out of 10 and 3.6 in marketplace practices, placing it in the bottom quartile of all industries.
“These results are a wake-up call,” said Johan Öberg, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG Sweden. “With AI and social media playing an increasing role in children’s lives, it’s critical that companies implement stronger protections imminently.”
Sector-wide insights
While the T&T sector’s overall score averaged 5.6, performance varied widely. Healthcare emerged as the top-performing sector, scoring 5.8, while Financials and Energy & Utilities trailed with scores of 3.4 and 3.3, respectively.
“The T&T sector bears a unique responsibility to safeguard children online as digital platforms become ever more integral to young people’s lives,” added Ekin Björstedt. “Immediate action is critical to ensure the well-being of future generations.”
For more information, contact:
Media Contacts:
Linda Ravin Lodding
+46 72 387 0248
linda.lodding@globalchildforum.org
Jenny Harler
+46 73 904 8585
About Global Child Forum
Founded in 2009 by the Swedish Royal Family, Global Child Forum is a leading forum for children’s rights and business dedicated to innovative thinking, knowledge-sharing and networking. Global Child Forum believes in the power and responsibility of business, working in partnership with all parts of society, to create a prosperous, sustainable and just society for the world’s children. In addition to forums, Global Child Forum delivers research perspectives, best practices and risk assessment tools designed to unlock opportunities for business to integrate children’s rights into their operations and communities. For more information, please visit: www.globalchildforum.org.
About Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organisations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organisation, fuelled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.