PRELIMS BITS:
The report highlights the transformative role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in delivering digital public services for children.
What is DPI?
DPI is a set of shared digital systems that enable equitable access to public or private services at scale. Its ecosystem includes technology, markets, and governance frameworks.
Role of DPI in Children’s Well-Being
- Equitable Access to Essential Services:
- Example: Digital IDs linked to civil registration systems provide lifelong access to services.
- Education:
- Example: India’s DIKSHA platform bridges educational gaps through digital learning tools.
- Health:
- Example: Jamaica’s Electronic Immunization Registry improved childhood vaccination rates.
- Financial Literacy and Inclusion:
- DPI fosters digital participation, empowering children in the digital economy.
- Social Protection:
- Enhances targeted delivery of benefits and better data sharing for child services.
Challenges in Using DPI for Children
- Connectivity and Digital Inequality:
- Example: Only 43.6% of rural Indian youth aged 15-24 can send emails, highlighting the digital divide.
- Weak Integration of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS):
- Poor integration with national ID systems limits universal service coverage.
- Other Issues:
- Lack of data interoperability and harmonization across systems.
- Concerns over data protection, security, and surveillance.
Recommendations for Enhancing DPI for Children
- Digitize Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems
- Establish robust digital CRVS systems to serve as the foundation for digital IDs, ensuring universal access to essential services.
- Enable Seamless and Secure Data Exchange
- Facilitate safe and interoperable data sharing among health, education, and social services to enhance service delivery for children.
- Promote Digital Financial Inclusion and Literacy
- Empower children, youth, and their families by providing access to digital financial tools and education, fostering economic participation.
- Include Children’s Input in Digital Infrastructure Design
- Actively involve children in the planning and design of digital systems that impact their lives to ensure they are user-friendly and meet their needs.