Child-focused challenges in the digital transformation of government services

Abstract

The digital transformation of government services fundamentally reshapes how citizens engage with public institutions and services, creating new opportunities and challenges for inclusive governance in the digital age. Amongst the most critical yet often overlooked stakeholders in this transformation process are children, who represent a significant portion of the global population and the future drivers of digital innovation and civic participation. As digital platforms become central to service delivery, children’s unique needs, rights, and vulnerabilities must be explicitly addressed to ensure equitable access, protection, and empowerment. This paper examines the implications of government digital services for children in some selected countries. The paper focuses on governments’ role as stakeholders in shaping public services and the importance of contributing to digital literacy, safeguarding privacy, and promoting child-friendly participation mechanisms. Drawing on five-country case studies – Bangladesh, Brazil, Ghana, Sweden, and Timor-Leste - the paper highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating child-sensitive approaches into digital governance. The cases provide insights into how digital government services can increase active citizenship and civic engagement among children and their families while addressing disparities in access and usage. The findings build on a collaborative study conducted in 2021 by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV). The study underscores the transformative potential of child-sensitive digital government initiatives in promoting early civic participation and empowering marginalized communities. The analysis emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of age-specific requirements, improved data collection mechanisms, and a coordinated whole-of-government approach to digital transformation. By integrating child-sensitive practices into digital governance, children’s rights are not only safeguarded by governments but also spurs a generation of digital literates, active citizens who are empowered to impact their communities and futures. This paper calls for a concerted effort to prioritize children in digital governance strategies, ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital era. Key contributions include the identification of best practices in inclusive ecosystems, the articulation of a holistic framework for digital service delivery and online safety, as well as the enhancement of strategies for bridging digital divides for marginalized children.