As schools close for the summer holidays, new research from the Digital Poverty Alliance shows that children across the UK are facing a digital blackout, with no broadband, no laptops, and no way to keep up.

Following a study of 2,000 parents and 600 teachers, the charity uncovered a stark picture of digital exclusion beginning in the classroom and worsening at home, with over half (57%) of low-income families saying their child struggles to access devices or reliable internet outside school.

Over the holidays this problem intensifies, as 53% of parents expect their children to lose digital access completely for weeks this summer, yet the study found that more than a third (34%) of parents report their school simply assumes they have this access.

According to the report, this gap is evidence of a dangerous disconnect that’s leaving children across the UK without the tools to keep up.

Working alongside edtech provider RM Technology, the Digital Poverty Alliance found 12% of families have a child that relies on smartphones to complete schoolwork, while around one in seven (15%) share a single device between siblings and parents, severely limiting screen time for homework. 

A further 11% reported they have little or no internet access at home, making remote learning near-impossible, with children needing to look for help outside of the family home to get online and complete their schoolwork.

More than one in ten families (12%) say their child relies on neighbours, friends or public Wi-Fi to get assignments done, while 10% report that grandparents or friends often step in to buy devices that are otherwise unaffordable. 

Parents are even being forced to make difficult choices, as 11% said they are often made to choose which child gets device time for homework.

“When the school doors close for summer, many children lose access to essential tools for learning, pushing inequality even further,” said Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance.

“Digital poverty is a harsh reality that traps children in a cycle of disadvantage. Tackling this requires all of us — government, schools, businesses — to come together and ensure every child has equal digital opportunities, no matter their background.”

Teachers are seeing the impact most clearly, with 75% reporting pupils falling behind or disengaging due to poor internet access at home, and nearly a third (31%) agreeing that children lack the skills to use technology effectively. 

However, only a minority (17%) of teachers know of targeted government policies designed to close these digital gaps, while 35% say their school has no plan to support pupils with limited access outside school.

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Asking teachers what pupils need to excel, new or upgraded devices topped the list, chosen by one in three teachers (36%), followed closely by digital literacy programmes (35%), faster internet (34%), more government funding (34%), and better teacher training (33%). 

Parents agree that simply handing out devices isn’t enough to close the digital divide. Nearly a quarter (23%) say they need clearer guidance on online safety and how to supervise their children’s internet use, while one in five (19%) want training to build their own digital confidence and skills, and 17% are calling for more support in troubleshooting tech at home.

“From my experience in schools, I see every day how the lack of reliable internet and device access at home creates real barriers for children,” said Mel Parker, educational technologist at RM Technology and former teacher.

“It’s not enough to hand out laptops — families need ongoing support and safer, faster connections so learning can happen inside and outside the classroom.”