Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento

40 - Observatory of Digital Tools for Children and Adolescents

Brief description of the commitment: The commitment seeks to generate and facilitate access to information on the digital tools to which children and adolescents are exposed and their evaluation based on technical criteria built collaboratively, through an observatory that makes accessible information available and that allows informed decision-making about risks and potentialities in the choice and use of tools.

Organization leading the commitment: Ceibal

Responsible for the commitment: Fiorella Haim, President. Contact: presidencia@ceibal.edu.uy .

Technical Head: Stephanie Estevez, Transparency Officer. Contact: sestevez@ceibal.edu.uy

Actors:

1. Government: Institutions whose duties reach children and adolescents.

2. Civil Society: Organizations linked to the rights of children and adolescents and digital citizenship.

3. Other actors: children and adolescents.

Implementation period: September 2026 – June 2029.

Problem definition

What problem does the commitment intend to address?

Children and adolescents are increasingly using digital tools without supervision or adequate guidance from responsible adults. This independent use occurs in a context where adults often lack the knowledge, resources, and technical expertise necessary to assess the risks and benefits of the platforms used by the minors in their care. This gap in guidance and understanding leads to exposure to inappropriate content, interactions with anonymous profiles, and a lack of critical use of digital tools, which can result in rights violations, negative impacts on emotional well-being, and risks to their safety. The problem occurs in various settings—family, school, and community—and particularly affects children and adolescents who access devices without adult supervision, especially since the use of digital technologies has become widespread in daily life and education.

What are the causes of the problem?

Explain your understanding of the causes of the problem. If possible, identify the root causes. Use problem-solving tools when necessary (e.g., problem tree, five whys, fishbone diagram, or other related methods) and provide evidence whenever possible.

Among the root causes of the problem are the growing volume and diversity of digital tools available to minors, as well as adults' lack of awareness about which platforms they use and how they use them. Added to this is the technical complexity of properly configuring safe environments, regardless of the user's level of digital literacy. Many platforms are not designed with adequate protection criteria, hindering responsible, healthy, and recreational use. Given this scenario, there is a need to generate and facilitate access to clear, up-to-date, and high-quality information as a key instrument for harnessing the potential of technology and guaranteeing the full exercise of the rights of children and adolescents in the digital environment.

Description of the commitment

What has been done so far to solve the problem?

Today, there are no known local precedents for a tool equivalent to the one proposed. While initiatives exist aimed at protecting children in digital environments, a national observatory has not yet been developed to systematically analyze and clearly and accessibly communicate the risks and opportunities associated with the use of digital platforms by children and adolescents. This creates a critical gap in reliable information that would allow families, educators, and other responsible adults to make informed decisions about technology use in childhood and adolescence.

What solution does it propose?

The initiative suggests the creation of an open and collaborative observatory to develop objective and socially validated criteria for the safe, healthy, and ethical use of digital platforms by children and adolescents. This tool will make relevant and up-to-date information publicly available on video games, social media, and educational or informational platforms, focusing on their impact on children. Unlike previous fragmented efforts, this initiative proposes a comprehensive, participatory, and long-term approach.

The Observatory will identify platforms with potential risks, as well as highlight those that meet desirable standards. It will also offer practical guidance for addressing problematic situations, such as references to institutional support resources, guides for the responsible use of screens at home, and other recommendations aimed at adults, the educational community, and the media.

What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?

Among the main Expected results there is the creation of a reliable resource for responsible adults, educators, opinion leaders, and decision-makers. The aim is to foster the development of knowledge, skills, and critical thinking regarding digital citizenship and adult guidance in the use of technology. In terms of impact, the project is expected to influence social, educational, and communicative practices related to children's digital environment, promoting the informed and protective use of technological tools.

To ensure the sustainability and institutionalization of the observatory, its development is planned in partnership with key actors from government, academia and civil society linked to children's rights and digital citizenship.

Commitment analysis

How will the commitment promote transparency?

This commitment will promote transparency by publishing the evaluation criteria used and the results obtained in the analyses conducted. All information will be presented in an accessible and understandable format for diverse audiences. Furthermore, other actors—institutions, social organizations, the educational community, and the general public—will be actively encouraged to use the tool, which will contribute to democratizing access to key information about the digital environment and strengthening citizen oversight of policies and practices related to children and technology.

How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?

The commitment includes the active participation of citizens and civil society organizations from the project's initial stages. Their involvement will be promoted in defining criteria, methodological design, and validating the observatory's results. To this end, open calls for participation and strategic partnerships with relevant actors in the digital, educational, and children's rights ecosystems will be established.

In addition, the project will be widely disseminated through Ceibal's institutional channels, allied organizations, and mass media, thus generating opportunities for dialogue and feedback with the community.