20 Jul 2026
A new report from the Digital Poverty Alliance is calling for greater recognition that access to a smartphone alone is not enough for children to fully participate in modern education, arguing that every pupil should have access to a suitable laptop or desktop computer.
The 2026 UK School Census Report found that while digital learning is now a routine part of school life, many children still lack regular access to a suitable keyboarded device. The research found that 95% of sixth-form teachers believe limited access to a laptop or desktop can affect young people’s future opportunities, while almost a third of teachers reported teaching more than 10 pupils without reliable access to an appropriate device or internet connection at home.
The report identifies what it describes as the “keyboard gap”, the difference between simply having access to technology and having access to a device suitable for completing coursework, homework and online applications. It concludes that smartphones cannot provide an adequate substitute for many educational tasks and recommends a stronger national approach to digital inclusion, including a regular schools census and targeted support for children who cannot afford suitable devices.
While the report is national in scope, for rural communities, these findings are a timely reminder that digital inclusion is about more than being connected. Without reliable connectivity and access to suitable devices, children and young people can face additional barriers to learning and future opportunities.
