Principle 9:wellbeing

Wellbeing in relation to the digital environment relies on policy and design choices that enhance a child’s life satisfaction. These can include, for example, promoting a balanced lifestyle, emotional regulation and supportive social connections. Good design and practice can also make mental and physical health and other forms of support easily accessible. The principle of wellbeing draws together several children’s rights, including:1 • Life, survival and development. • Recognition of the specific requirements of children with disabilities and their entitlement to special care and assistance. • Enabling children to access ‘the highest attainable standard’ of health, including services, treatments and rehabilitation. • Adequate standard of living and material assistance to support wellbeing. • Protection from substance abuse and forms of addiction. Digital innovation and policy that promotes children’s wellbeing encompasses diverse products and services, including games, social media and video streaming platforms. To promote children’s wellbeing, it is important to encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle rather than feeding compulsions, unhealthy habits or harmful experiences.