An independent study of the impact of the Global Kids Online network', Matter of Focus, Edinburgh, 2019. Despite a highly political and controversial environment, Global Kids Online's research makes a meaningful contribution to the global debate.
Background
The views expressed remain those of the research team and do not necessarily represent UNICEF, LSE or EU Kids Online. What is the evidence of new national or global research impact from the collective activities of the Global Kids Online network.
Methods
For example, the Global Kids Online Network supports countries to conduct research that has impact potential in those places. Before looking at these specific areas of impact, the report details the activities of the Global Kids Online network.
The Global Kids Online network
One of the most viewed articles published by Global Kids Online is the toolkit presentation by Sonia Livingstone (511 views as of April 15, 2019). Part of Global Kids Online's mission is to share knowledge and publish research conducted by the network.
Introduction to the findings of the impact study
In terms of children's experiences online, there are similarities and differences in the contextual factors for each location where research has been undertaken. A hallmark of the Global Kids Online approach is to always consider children's opportunities online alongside the risks they face.
Global Kids Online impact in inspiring and supporting research
Buy-in and engagement has been strengthened through the Global Kids Online network as “the right people [are]. The Global Kids Online network has been invaluable in supporting countries to conduct quality research.
Global Kids Online partner country impacts: Conducting research and sharing it widely
40 The core of the impact of the Global Kids Online network is the involvement of relevant national and local stakeholders in the research. The Global Kids Online network is working with a wide range of research partners to plan and conduct the research (see Figure 3). Research partners in Uruguay also spoke extensively to the media during the launch of the Global Kids Online research results.
There are examples of one country inspiring another to conduct the Global Kids Online survey. The Global Kids Online study has been able to weigh the importance of the risks and risks. The effects of the Global Kids Online survey are starting to show in the partner countries.
Case study summaries
- Bulgaria
- Ghana
- Uruguay
- Learning from the case studies
Representatives of children's organisations, telecommunications companies, relevant government ministries, NGOs, a university and the press were involved in the dissemination of the study. The draft Child Protection Strategy 2019–2030, informed by the research findings, now includes a section on children's online safety with a very strong emphasis on internet and media literacy, protection against cyber violence and other issues arising from internet use. Bring generic learning about children's online experiences and gain specific understanding of how it applies to children in Ghana.
The research team was led by UNICEF Uruguay, which was aware of growing concerns among parents about child safety issues. Discussion of results with information security and digital citizenship in AGESIC - the governmental body responsible for Internet governance. The Global Kids Online research has been able to provide a balanced evidence base for issues surrounding both children's online protection and participation in Uruguay.
Global Kids Online impact: Influencing international debate and action
This final section of the impact study discusses the purpose of Global Kids Online research to influence international debate and action (figure 4). However, we see some positive contributions being made by Global Kids Online research. No Evidence Some Strong Evidence Global Kids Online's evidence is seen as the world's.
The International Telecommunication Union Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators used the Global Kids Online Toolkit. I feel that the word Global Kids Online affects this particular discussion [protection, provision and cooperation]. It is clear from the previous recommendation that there was a balance between protection and participation that very much reflects the tone of Global Kids Online's approach.
Final conclusions
This is due to a mixture of the problems and drivers for participation in the research in each place and the configuration of organizations and individuals involved. Partnership building was in some places a core part of the work of partner country leaders. Research partner countries benefit from being part of the Global Kids Online network, both through direct engagement with the management team and by learning from each other.
Many people commented on the need for more projects, promotion and engagement between the management team and the countries, as well as greater engagement from political actors. The impetus to engage with specific countries has largely come from the enthusiasm and interest of partner countries. Adapting Global Kids Online materials and scaling any resulting interventions is a complex process and can only happen over long time frames.
Recommendations
Methodological approach
Data collection information
Supporting information on the activities of the Global Kids Online network
LSE impak blog (Global Kids Online: designing an impak toolkit vir 'n multi-country . projek): http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences global-kids-online-designing-an-impact-toolkit -for- a multi-country project/. Byrne, J., Albright, K., and Kardefelt-Winther D., Use research findings in policy making, Global Kids Online, London, 2016. Livingstone, S., Carr, J., and Byrne, J., 'One of three : The task for global internet governance in addressing children's rights', Global Commission on Internet Governance: Paper Series, CIGI and Chatham House, London, 2015.
Livingstone, S., et al., 'Using mixed methods to research children's online opportunities and risks in a global context: the approach of Global Kids Online', in SAGE Research Methods: Case studies in sociology, SAGE, 2018. Stoilova, M. ., Livingstone, S., and Kardefelt-Winther, D., 'Global Kids Online: Researching children✔s rights in a global digital age', Global Studies of Childhood, vol. 7 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum Workshop Geneva 15 June 2017 8 Expert consultation, OECD Workshop “Protection of Children in a.
Documentary evidence of impact
Document name and URL References to Global Kids Online network/research. 2018) Meeting of the Expert Group on ICT Domestic Indicators. Recommends the use of the Global Kids Online research toolkit to members of the ITU expert group, stating;. There are references that should be considered as methodological frameworks, such as Global Kids Online and ITU COP Guidelines.”.
The guidance suggests that evidence for the indicators can be obtained from the Global Kids Online toolkit with links to the website. Ctic.Br” is referenced 12 times throughout the paper, with references to Global Kids Online research. Published position paper on Protecting Children Online with proposed changes provided as a result of Global Kids Online research.
In-depth case study from Bulgaria
The interviewees, whose direct work with children was informed by the research findings, felt that they were doing something important and worthwhile. One particular area where the research provided important information was in terms of trends from the two surveys. Interviewees talked about specific learning from the research that had influenced their direct work with children and young people.
Several interviewees stated that they had learned new skills to engage with children and young people as a result of the research and carrying out the research. Other partners have shared the research findings to raise awareness of media literacy in a variety of formats. Evidence from the research also informed UNICEF's telethon to raise funds for its bullying in schools.
In-depth case study from Ghana
A number of the partners used the research findings to leverage the inclusion of Children's Online Protection in many existing programs. Different organizations and government departments support child rights clubs in different regions of the country. Children's rights clubs are one of the main mechanisms mentioned by interviewees to engage with children in school.
However, as a result of the research and the heightened national conversation about child protection online, the center added "children" as a fourth pillar. The first annual Cyber Security Awareness Month (2018) focused on protecting children online as a result of the strong national conversation on the topic. International Needs: The survey brought the issues of online practices to the core of all of the organization's programs involving youth.
In-depth case study from Uruguay
116 It appears from some reports that direct experience of research elsewhere was one. UNICEFUruguay and 467 mentions of the hashtag #KidsOnlineUY (this takes into account original tweets as well as retweets), which stimulated conversations involving opinion leaders from different fields (media, ICT experts, academia, government). All the informants we interviewed were very committed to the issue of children's rights on the Internet.
Several of the Kids Online board members we spoke to said they think it's important to repeat the research and that trends in that data will be important. We have not interviewed any of the ultimate beneficiaries of this research - parents, children or teachers. Most of the people we spoke to were hopeful that the research would make a difference, but were also aware that it was early days.
Terms of Reference for the Consultancy to Produce an Independent Impact
Finally, Skype interviews will be conducted between the consultant, key Global Kids Online stakeholders (including selected Global Kids Online Steering Committee and International Advisory Group members) and secondary stakeholders such as key international policy makers outside the project) to help validate claims of potential global impact and added value of the Secretariat. Additional administrative/logistical support will be explored, if required, through Global Kids Online country teams. Any validated findings on the impact of the Global Kids Online network and model will be published via print, press and social media as appropriate in consultation with Innocenti and LSE's communications departments.
The consultant should attend a Global Kids Online network meeting at Innocenti premises in Florence, Italy to present the results. A Skype webinar to present the findings to the Global Kids Online network and other interested parties with associated social media promotion during May 2019 (date tbc). -in-depth Skype interviews conducted by the consultant with the 4 Global Kids Online Secretariat members to identify perceived national and global impacts.
