Over Two Billion Children and Young People Lose Out on Education Due to No Internet Access

IBL News | New York

Around 1.3 billion school-aged children aged 3-17 do not have an Internet connection at home.

There is a similar lack of online access for 759 million young people aged 15-24. It means that over 65% are unconnected at home. This digital gap prevents them to acquire the skills needed to compete today and isolates them from the job market.

“Lack of internet access, in the event of school closures, such as those currently experienced by millions due to COVID-19, is costing the next generation their futures,” said Henrietta Fore, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director.

Today, a quarter of billion students worldwide are affected by school closures due to the pandemic, relying on remote learning.

The UNICEF-ITU report How Many Children and Youth Have Internet Access at Home? indicates that only 16% of the poorest households have Internet at home.

UN officials consulted by IBL News highlighted that This digital divide is perpetuating inequalities.

Two-thirds of children + young people do not have Internet access at home https://t.co/tyJT9OjF5V@ITU + @UNICEF call for urgent investment to bridge #DigitalDivide and ensure #LearningNeverStops pic.twitter.com/AXMvFvaA7m

— ITU (@ITU) December 1, 2020