A country that works for all children and young people: An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people for digital futures

The seventh report in a year-long series – produced jointly by Child of the North and the Centre for Young Lives – that seeks to deliver a country that works for all children and young people, puts forward new proposals and highlights innovations to close a digital divide which is holding back the life chances of millions of children in the UK, and to enable them to navigate digital content critically and responsibly.

The report, An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people for digital futures, warns that ‘digital exclusion’ is still leaving behind millions of children and calls for a ‘digital vaccination’ for children to tackle the tsunami of fake news and disinformation.

It sets out how the UK’s digital landscape is an uneven playing field for children and young people and warns that millions of children are being left behind because they don’t have regular access to the technology and skills that they need to make the best use of digital devices and spaces in a responsible and creative way.

In a world where technological advances are increasingly rapid, and where Artificial Intelligence is set to have a profound impact on employment and future economies, the report highlights the huge economic costs of failing to close the digital divide. A lack of digital skills and literacy can also leave children more open to the risks of disinformation, fake news, and other online harms.

The report highlights how a significant proportion of children and young people in the UK lack access to digital skills and resources:

42% of young people (approximately 6 million children) do not have access to either home broadband or a laptop/desktop computer. Projections suggest that by 2030, 5 million workers will be under-skilled in basic digital capabilities, while 75% of young people feel they lack the necessary skills to thrive. Participation in IT subjects at GCSE level has dropped by 40% since 2015. 1 million people have either cut back or cancelled their internet packages due to financial constraints and approximately 2.4 million (21%) of people from the lowest socioeconomic backgrounds do not use the internet at home. The report outlines a series of evidence-based policy recommendations based on extensive research undertaken across the North of England by Child of the North, including:

Establishing a “Minimum Digital Living Standards” framework, including subsidised digital access to ensure that every household has the digital infrastructure necessary for effective participation. This could include basic digital infrastructure such as high-speed broadband, a functioning computer or laptop, and essential digital skills training. Enhancing digital inclusivity in schools through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for educators. Current constraints on teachers’ time and the lack of structured support for CPD is hindering their ability to stay current with digital advancements, affecting the quality of digital education provided to students. Digital training packages for in-service teachers and other educational organisations and networks should be co-designed and continuously updated by multi-academy trusts, local education authorities, and industry experts. Creating a national Digital Creativity “Skills Commons”, fostering cross-sectional partnerships and network development. Currently, there is no consolidated, easily accessible platform that offers comprehensive support for digital creativity skills development. An open-access, subscription-free Digital Creativity Skills Commons could provide a range of evidence-informed resources, including training materials, funding guidance, and a registry of relevant agencies and charities.