Society

Digital transformation affects society and culture in complex and interrelated ways as digital technologies dramatically change the ways in which individuals, firms and governments interact among and with one another. Societal effects of digital transformation are complex because overall impacts are often not clear-cut and may vary across countries. For example, digital technologies provide opportunities to enhance access to information (a free and interconnected Internet), improve health care (e.g. tele-medicine), and enrich education (e.g. massive open online courses). On the other hand, challenges arise related to work-life imbalances; the segregation of people into relatively isolated, like-minded groups; negative mental health outcomes such as screen addiction, depression and cyberbullying, including among children; and the emergence of digital divides (e.g. in skills). For digital transformation to work for growth and well-being, it is essential to support a positive and inclusive digital society.