Even less visible: disadvantaged children in disadvantaged countries

Abstract

In this paper, we have a quick look at the profile of developmental research in terms of its study samples, and then turn our attention to the findings of research on the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, suggesting a notable increase in the number of people experiencing significant economic difficulties and a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor. While this is obviously a cause of concern for scientists, practitioners and policymakers, we suggest that the digital revolution which accelerated even more with the COVID-19 pandemic may open new ways to support healthy development and psychological wellbeing in socio-economically or developmentally disadvantaged populations. Moreover, acceleration of the digital transformation may also allow us to study the human mind and behaviour in countries economically categorized as 'under-developed' or 'developing', and under-represented in psychological science. Taking the recent advancements as a base, we contemplate the possibility that major technological changes facilitated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic might allow us to meet the scientific and applied goals of psychology more successfully.