India tops global digital well-being index, leads in online safety and parental support

New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over online safety, India leads on a global digital well-being index, scoring 67 out of 100 which reflects strong trust and support between parents and teenagers, a report said on Monday.

The country leads in online satisfaction, with 58 per cent of respondents expressing contentment with their digital experiences, compared to 53 per cent in the US and 42 per cent in the UK, said the report by Snap Inc.

India reported the strongest support networks for young people, with respondents having 9 to 12 sources of guidance, such as parents, teachers and mentors.

However, 78 per cent of Indian Gen Z users sought support from others, up from 65 per cent in 2023, the report added.

There is an increase in parental engagement, with 70 per cent of parents regularly checking in on their teens’ online activities, up from 62 per cent in 2023.

Indian Gen Z users reported the highest rates of online threats, including sextortion and grooming.

About 71 per cent of Indian Gen Z respondents said they had been targeted for sextortion, with 55 per cent falling victim, the report added.

The report further added that 77 per cent reported losing control of intimate images they shared, with 80 per cent of these cases involving minors aged 13-17.

Also, 60 per cent of respondents had experienced grooming, with over half being minors.

Another major concern is the lack of awareness about the legal implications of sharing explicit content involving minors.

The report found that 52 per cent of respondents wrongly believed that not reporting such content was legal, the highest percentage among all surveyed countries.

Additionally, 36 per cent believed it was legal to share and view such images, while 39 per cent thought storing them online was lawful, the findings showed.

With India experiencing a transformative wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in workplaces, a new report on Monday showed that 94 per cent of professionals in the country believe that mastering AI skills will accelerate their career growth.

The report is based on a survey of over 6,000 respondents across 18 countries aged 21-65 working across sectors such as finance and insurance, manufacturing, software and IT services, and education, among others.

It showed that 96 per cent of Indian professionals are using AI and generative AI tools at work, significantly higher than 81 per cent in the US and 84 per cent in the UK.

As a result, 95 per cent of Indian workers report increased productivity due to these technologies, outpacing the global average.

“As the world undergoes economic and technological changes, the workforce needs to keep up with the time and evolve their approach to work with new skills, mindsets, and competencies,” said Ashwin Damera, CEO and Co-Founder of Emeritus.

“India’s workforce is not only adapting to AI but actively harnessing it to shape the future of work.

The findings highlight the resilience and forward-thinking mindset of Indian professionals and their employers in positioning AI as a career catalyst,” he added.

Indian professionals are prioritising AI skills to stay competitive, with 90 per cent considering AI and generative AI crucial for future career success, the report said.

Moreover, 94 per cent view AI expertise as essential not only for career advancement but also for diversifying across industries -- far surpassing the global average of 87 per cent.

Notably, machine learning is uniquely among the top five most sought-after skills in India, with professionals twice as likely as their global counterparts to focus on it. The most sought after skills include AI development and application; mastering emerging technologies; effective communication skills; Machine Learning; and strategic leadership and management.

The report also identified four critical trends in how Indian learners perceive and use AI: higher AI adoption in India; AI/Gen AI skills as a top priority; AI’s transformative impact on workplaces; and concerns about AI-driven displacement.