Report: Digital divide exacerbated by lack of online skills and access, magnifying other forms of exclusion
Nearly half of UK families with children lack the online skills or access to participate in today’s digital society, a study shows. The divide is an “amplifier of other exclusions,” experts say. The research, led by experts from several universities and the Good Things Foundation, developed a “minimum digital living standard” based on focus groups. It found that 45% of households with children did not meet this standard, with low socioeconomic backgrounds, deprived areas, and minority ethnic backgrounds more affected.
Emma Stone, the director of evidence and engagement at the Good Things Foundation, stated that, for the first time, there is a benchmark, defined by the public, for what families consider ‘enough’ to feel included in today’s digital society. She highlighted that the assumption of equal online engagement abilities among families, which drives digital transformation efforts by government, businesses, and service providers, is debunked by the research.
Prof. Simeon Yates, the lead researcher from the University of Liverpool, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the high proportion of people falling below this benchmark. He noted that while many television shows depict people living a digital life, the reality is that a significant number of people do not live in that world.
Yates emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue sharply, particularly when children couldn’t access education. He stressed the need for a mature conversation, noting that it’s not just about owning a laptop but also about accessing skills, employment, and wellbeing. He labeled the digital divide as “an amplifier of other exclusions” in sectors such as health and education.
The research, which surveyed over 1,500 UK households to assess their meeting of the benchmark, found that poverty was a significant predictor of falling below it. This comes at a time when Ofcom figures indicate that 28% of households are struggling to afford the cost of broadband and other communication services.
The report suggests a comprehensive approach to enhance digital inclusion, urging public, voluntary, and private sector organizations to explore ways to minimize the digital obstacles faced by many.
Nearly four in ten (38%) households encountered difficulties with online skills, either with parents, children, or both having insufficient functional or critical digital capabilities. For parents lacking functional skills (17%), this might translate to difficulties in tasks like creating an email account or making online payments.
The research revealed that 27% of households, led by parents lacking critical digital skills, were unable to protect their families from online risks such as scams, bullying, and grooming, raising concerns about children’s online safety. A smaller percentage (18.5%) did not meet the threshold for equipment and services, lacking one or more of broadband, TV, or devices.
Eman’s family of five had been sharing one laptop until recently. This setup made it challenging for her 12-year-old daughter to complete her daily online homework, as her 16-year-old sister needed the laptop for her GCSE studies. Recently, the family, based in Yorkshire, received a second laptop from the Learn for Life hub, a part of the Good Things Foundation’s network.
Eman commented, “When we got this laptop, my younger daughter started to study more. Before, she couldn’t do it [as easily] because my older daughter was using it all the time – her GCSEs are very important.” Eman, who has been in the UK for two years, also noted that the laptop had helped her improve her English skills.
She explained that her younger daughter had frequently used a smartphone but found it challenging to work on the small screen. “Previously, my younger daughter had to wait for her sister to finish using the laptop, sometimes until late, to do her homework. Now she can do it when she gets home. It has made things much easier for her and for us too – there was a lot of pressure on the household.”
