2 million children with no web access at home

We're used to thinking about the "Google generation" and the "Facebook generation" and there is a common misconception that children know all about using computers and using the Internet. Of course, this isn't true; I've spoken to many school librarians and children themselves to know that while they are comfortable with using the Internet their actual use still remains quite limited, and their understanding of what can be achieved, how to find the information you require, and assessing it is not as good as one may first expect. This is the case for those children who have access to the Internet; how much more difficult is it therefore for those children that do not. A recent article in the Guardian No web access at home for 2m poor pupils, warns charity point out the quite shocking figures which go to show that too many children still don't have access to the Internet; especially from the poorest homes in the country. In the richest 10% of homes, 98% had a home computer and 97% had internet access, but in the poorest 10% of homes only 38% had a home computer and 30% an internet connection. Even in the South East which is one of the richest areas in the country, if not the richest one in four homes cannot access the Internet.

This therefore puts not only children but their parents a grave disadvantage. We are all familiar with the situation in which a child requests help with algebra homework and the parents can do no more than do a good goldfish impression, so how much more difficult is it going to be for both child and parent when it comes to accessing the Internet when neither know what they are supposed to be doing. A school can only do so much and of course a child can only access Internet computers in school when the school is open. This is surely where the library comes into play. Children who do not only need access to the Internet they need access to reading materials and educational material. The library is in a perfect position to provide both, and indeed librarians who are confident and happy with using the Internet can also provide further assistance to children and their parents on getting the information that they require.

This can of course only be done in those situations where libraries do have access to the Internet, with a fast broadband connection and machines which are up to specification. We also need to remember that just because a child is sitting in front of an Internet computer it does not necessarily follow that they know what to do with it. These figures, grim as they are, surely provide further ammunition, if ammunition should be required, that libraries needs to be well staffed, and with good access to the Internet. Reduced funds and reduced access to the Internet certainly harm the poorest in our society but they are also helping to rob the future of its digitally literate population.

Comments

[Alison Scott]

My daughter's best friend has only recently got access to a computer at home (yr9) -- the family have just got their first computer. My kids have no memories of not having computers available for their exclusive use. I can't imagine how you would keep up with schoolwork without access to a computer at home unless you were a sight more organised than I ever was as a teenager, or than my daughter is now.