7-13 September 2026 marks the first-ever End Digital Poverty Week, led by the Digital Poverty Alliance. Previously observed as a single day of action, the campaign has expanded into a week-long opportunity to raise awareness of digital poverty, celebrate digital inclusion initiatives, and encourage action across communities, services and organisations.

Did you know that 1 in 5 children across the UK live in some form of digital poverty? Or that 19 million people aged 16 and over in the UK are affected by it? (DPA)

When we talk about children and young people’s (CYP) digital lives, discussions often focus on online safety and harms. However, we also need to recognise that being excluded from the digital world can have significant consequences for CYP’s rights, education, wellbeing, participation and future opportunities.

What is digital poverty? How does it relate to digital exclusion and inclusion?

• Digital poverty is an “inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where, and how an individual needs.” (DPA)
• Digital exclusion is the consequence of these barriers. It happens when people are unable to access the opportunities, services, information, and social connections that rely on digital technologies.
• Digital inclusion is the solution. It means ensuring everyone has a suitable device, reliable and affordable internet connectivity, digital skills and support, a safe online environment, and sustainable access to devices and connectivity (UNICEF).

Put simply, we can think about digital poverty as the challenge, digital exclusion as the consequence, and digital inclusion as the solution.

For example, a CYP may have access to a smartphone but no laptop for schoolwork or inadequate internet access at home. This experience of digital poverty can limit opportunities for learning, completing schoolwork, applying for jobs, or developing the wider digital skills needed for education and employment, leading to digital exclusion. Digital inclusion looks to address these barriers.

Who is more at risk?

While CYP are often described as “digital natives”, many still face barriers to digital inclusion. CYP who may be at increased risk of digital exclusion include:

• Those living in low-income households
• Care-experienced children and young people
• Young carers
• Children with disabilities or additional support needs
• Children living in rural communities
• Gypsy/Traveller families
• Families experiencing language barriers

Why does this matter for children and young people?

Digital inclusion is increasingly recognised as a children’s rights issue. As UNICEF highlights:

“Access to the digital world can no longer be seen as a luxury. Instead, digital inclusion must be seen as the cornerstone to ensuring social justice and equitable life chances for every child.”

Access to digital technologies can support CYP’s rights to education, information, participation, health and wellbeing, play and social connection. As more aspects of daily life move online, digital exclusion risks deepening existing inequalities and limiting opportunities for some CYP. It can impact:

• Education and learning – Access to homework, online learning platforms, revision materials, careers information and further education opportunities increasingly depends on being connected. Limited access can widen existing educational inequalities and impact attainment.
• Mental health and wellbeing – Digital technologies can help CYP access support services, mental health information, peer support and social connections. When access is limited, existing experiences of isolation, exclusion and disadvantage may be intensified.
• Employment and future opportunities – Applications, interviews, employability programmes and workplace learning are increasingly delivered online. CYP need both access and confidence to participate fully and develop skills that employers value.
• Participation and having a voice – As education, services and public life become increasingly digital, there is a growing risk that CYP’s voices are excluded from decisions that affect them. Ensuring meaningful digital inclusion helps CYP participate in society and have their views heard.

What can professionals do?

Professionals across health, education, social care and the community and voluntary sector can play an important role in tackling digital exclusion. End Digital Poverty Week is an opportunity to start conversations, raise awareness and take practical action.

This End Digital Poverty Week and beyond, you could:

• Review whether the CYP and families you work with face barriers to digital access.
• Raise awareness of local support services, digital inclusion hubs, social tariffs (cheaper broadband and phone packages), and the National Databank.
• Explore opportunities to support digital skills development, such as through the SCVO Essential Digital Skills Framework and Learn My Way.
• Share digital inclusion resources through your networks.
• Encourage colleagues to consider digital inclusion when designing services and communications, ensuring they are accessible and inclusive for people with different levels of digital access and confidence. The planning template for digital inclusion projects might be helpful.
• Involve those affected in developing solutions.
• Use the End Digital Poverty Week communications toolkit to support awareness-raising activities.
• Sign up for Scotland’s Digital Inclusion Charter, which gives information on how to turn support for digital inclusion into practical action.

Digital inclusion is about more than getting people online. It is about ensuring every CYP has the opportunity to learn, connect, participate and thrive in an increasingly digital society. By tackling digital poverty and digital exclusion, we can help reduce inequalities, promote wellbeing, and support CYP’s rights and future opportunities.

You can download this End Digital Poverty resource so you have all of this information to hand:

• Aye Mind newsletter – End Digital Poverty

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