La prevenzione e il contrasto dei danni e delle dipendenze digitali nei minori. Un’agenda di lavoro per famiglia, scuola e istituzioni

With the advent of the New Economy, digital technologies—more commonly referred to as Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)—have become pervasive throughout the economy and society, eventually emerging as one of the principal leisure activities, and in many cases a form of "digital babysitter", for an increasing number of children and adolescents. Despite the extensive public debate surrounding the psychological and physical damages associated with digital technologies—including concerns about reduced brain neuroplasticity—and the behavioural addictions that may develop during childhood and adolescence, many families, at least in Italy, remain insufficiently informed about the actual costs and benefits associated with children's use of these technologies. Drawing upon the scientific literature, the proceedings of a major Italian parliamentary fact-finding inquiry, and other recent documentary sources, this paper reviews the main findings of the current debate. In particular, it highlights the growing body of evidence suggesting that the early introduction of ICTs during childhood and early adolescence constitutes an important contributing factor to the decline in mental and physical health, cognitive and social skills, and subjective well-being observed among young people across Western countries. Finally, in the spirit of Giorgio Fuà's notion of being "useful scientists," we conclude by raising a number of policy questions that are directly relevant to regulators and public decision-makers, particularly those responsible for education and schooling policies.