Digital poverty, affecting 1 in 5 UK children, is a critical issue in the education sector. Defined by the Digital Poverty Alliance, it refers to the inability to fully engage with the online world, and it’s holding students back from essential learning.
The 2023 Nominet Digital Youth Index revealed that 2 million children in the UK lack access to basic learning tools like laptops, and 570,000 don’t have internet access at home. This creates a serious disadvantage for students trying to keep up with their peers.
While digital technology offers transformative tools for education—like interactive platforms and assistive technologies—it also exposes the digital divide. Teachers face similar challenges; nearly 47% lack adequate tech for remote teaching, according to the Tech4Teachers programme.
Efforts like Tech4Teachers are crucial in equipping teachers and bridging the gap, but broader collaboration between government, the private sector, and non-profits is essential.
The call to action is clear: by providing access to devices, reliable internet, and digital skills training, we can ensure every student and teacher benefits from a future-ready education system. Now is the time to act and eliminate digital exclusion for a more inclusive, equitable future.
