The report was commissioned to Dr Alicia Blum-Ross at the LSE, who worked with a team of experts across Europe, to formulate their predictions on how relationships between technology - meant here as all the areas covered by the products and services of the ICT Coalition members - and the cultural and social practices and institutions that affect children and young people will likely evolve. Focusing on the near-term future (the next three to five years) the experts have been asked to focus on how digital technologies may impact children and families, and the role that educators and industry can play in promoting positive change.
The Coalition brought together for the first time many key industry players from across an
increasingly wide and converging communication and Internet market, including connectivity
platforms, online services and Internet-connected gaming devices. There are currently 20
members.
The research draws not only on a review of secondary literature but also, crucially, on the voices and perspectives of those living out these debates. Interviews were conducted with industry stakeholders (members of the ICT Coalition) and focus groups were organized in summer 2018 with young people, parents and teachers in five EU member states, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland and Italy. Throughout this report, predictions of near-term changes in terms of digital families, learning and industry are offered. At the end key recommendations that can be initiated in the short term are offered, in some cases using resources already available. Also a series of key questions are suggested, that should guide wider planning and implementation in the medium- to longer-term.