Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment - Development of a Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland

Date: 29th November 2016
Category: Child rights impact assessments
Author: Scottish Government

This report details the findings of a children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) carried out in relation to the Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland.

The assessment process considered how the new strategy would have an impact on relevant articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Scottish Government child wellbeing indicators.

• Download the CRWIA here.

In recognition of the CRWIA findings, a number of options for modifying the strategy were considered and recommendations of how to mitigate or eliminate these risks have been made.

In respect of rights that may be impinged upon due to the inherent dangers of internet usage, it was decided that the strategy should place an expectation on local authorities and education establishments to ensure that cyber resilience and internet safety are central considerations during all digital technology use within education. The Scottish Government and Education Scotland will support local authorities and education establishments to realise this expectation.

In respect of the risk that increased use of digital technology may harm a child's health, it was decided that no action should be taken. This was in recognition that evidence is inconclusive. However, it is recommended that evidence in this area continue to be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

A plan for monitoring the impact of the strategy on children's rights and wellbeing using a biennial targeted consultation is also contained in the report.