Digital Youth Index for action

2.9 million young people (21%) do not have access to either a laptop or desktop and a third (32%) of young people do not have access to home broadband. Combined, this leaves 6 million (42%) young people without home broadband or a laptop/desktop. While many of these will be younger people, it equates to 30% of those aged 18 and above who are more likely to be living alone and relying on work, colleges or universities for their IT needs, equivalent to 2.1 million young people. 

Most young people (94%) feel safe online but 83% of young people aged 11 or above have experienced something that they found upsetting, including fake news, hate speech, sexual content and contact with strangers. When asked about online safety in the qualitative research, young people predominantly thought first about data protection and keeping their personal details safe. Among the 6% who did not feel safe, the most common reason for feeling unsafe was concern around theft of personal information or identity theft. 

Digital access creates opportunities for connection but, at the same time, can exacerbate feelings of isolation. 55% of young people say they have been spending more time online due to the pandemic (equivalent of 8 million young people). 17 – 19-year-olds were especially likely to have spent more time online due to Covid-19. 68% of this age group said they spent more time online while half (49%) said they felt isolated from others, and 59% worried about others having fun without them.