Last updated on April 6th, 2024 at 07:55 am

Report says lack of online skills and access widens digital divide, amplifies other exclusions

Nearly half of UK families with children lack the online skills or access to devices, data, and broadband needed for today’s digital society, according to research. This divide, described as an “amplifier of other exclusions,” disproportionately affects families from low socioeconomic backgrounds in deprived areas, households outside London, and those from minority ethnic backgrounds or with disabled parents. Conducted by experts from the University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, and the Good Things Foundation, the research developed a “minimum digital living standard” through focus groups to assess households’ digital abilities and access to goods and services.

Emma Stone, the director of evidence and engagement at the Good Things Foundation, highlighted the significance of having a benchmark, defined by the public, for what families consider ‘enough’ to feel included in the digital society. She emphasized that the assumption of equal online engagement abilities among families by government, businesses, and service providers, as they drive digital transformation, is disproven by the latest research.

Prof. Simeon Yates, the lead researcher from the University of Liverpool, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the high proportion falling below this benchmark. He noted that while many may be surprised due to the portrayal of digital lives in various media, a significant number of people do not live in that digital world.

Yates pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the issue starkly when children couldn’t access education. He emphasized the need for a mature conversation, stating that it’s not just about having a laptop but also about accessing skills, employment, and well-being. He labeled the digital divide as “an amplifier of other exclusions” in areas like health and education.

The research, which surveyed over 1,500 UK households to assess their meeting of the benchmark, found poverty to be a significant predictor of falling below it. This comes at a time when Ofcom figures indicate that 28% of households are struggling to afford broadband and other communication services.

The report advocates for a “holistic” approach to enhance digital inclusion, urging public, voluntary, and private sector organizations to consider how they can reduce the digital barriers faced by many.

Nearly 40% of households (38%) faced challenges with online skills, with either parents, children, or both lacking sufficient functional or critical digital abilities. For parents with inadequate functional skills (17%), this could mean difficulties in tasks like creating an email account or making online payments.

The research discovered that 27% of households were led by parents lacking critical digital skills, such as those needed to protect their family from online harms like scams, bullying, and grooming, raising concerns for children’s online safety. A smaller portion (18.5%) did not meet the equipment and services threshold, lacking one or more of broadband, TV, or devices.

Eman’s family of five used to share one laptop. This setup made it challenging for her 12-year-old daughter to complete her daily online homework, as her 16-year-old daughter needed the laptop for her GCSE studies. Recently, the family, residing in Yorkshire, received a second laptop from the Learn for Life hub, part of the Good Things Foundation’s network.

“Getting this laptop made it easier for my younger daughter to study. Previously, she couldn’t do it as easily because my older daughter was using it all the time – her GCSEs are very important,” Eman shared. She, a resident in the UK for two years, also mentioned that it helped her improve her English skills.

The research discovered that 27% of households were led by parents lacking critical digital skills, such as those needed to protect their family from online harms like scams, bullying, and grooming, raising concerns for children’s online safety. A smaller portion (18.5%) did not meet the equipment and services threshold, lacking one or more of broadband, TV, or devices.

Eman’s family of five used to share one laptop. This setup made it challenging for her 12-year-old daughter to complete her daily online homework, as her 16-year-old daughter needed the laptop for her GCSE studies. Recently, the family, residing in Yorkshire, received a second laptop from the Learn for Life hub, part of the Good Things Foundation’s network.

“Getting this laptop made it easier for my younger daughter to study. Previously, she couldn’t do it as easily because my older daughter was using it all the time – her GCSEs are very important,” Eman shared. She, a resident in the UK for two years, also mentioned that it helped her improve her English skills.

She mentioned that her younger daughter had frequently resorted to using a smartphone but faced difficulties working on the small screen. “Previously, my younger daughter had to wait for her sister until late to do her homework, and now she can do it when she comes home. It’s much easier for her, and for us too – it relieved a lot of pressure on the household.”