In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology skills have become essential for young people preparing to enter further education and the workforce. Our recent surveys at Voices for Impact gathered insights from children and young people across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK about their digital confidence, technology access, and skill development aspirations.
The findings provide valuable insights for youth workers, educators, and policymakers looking to support young people in developing the digital capabilities they need for the future.
Digital Confidence Among Young People
Our survey revealed interesting patterns in how young people perceive their digital abilities:
- Among under-14s, 56% rated themselves as “Really good” or “Super smart” with computers and the internet
- For over-14s, 55% considered their digital skills to be “Advanced” or “Expert” level
- 41% of older teens described their skills as “Intermediate,” suggesting room for growth
- Only 4% of respondents in both age groups rated their skills at the lowest level
These figures suggest that while many young people feel confident with technology, a significant proportion feel they have more to learn. This presents an opportunity for targeted skill development initiatives.
The Career Connection
Young people clearly recognise the importance of digital skills for their future careers:
- 93% of over-14s rated digital skills as “Moderately Important,” “Very Important,” or “Extremely Important” for their future careers
- 93% of under-14s considered computer skills “Pretty important,” “Very important,” or “Super important” for their future work
- 48% of over-14s specifically rated digital skills as “Extremely Important”
This near-universal recognition of the value of digital skills demonstrates that young people understand the changing nature of work and the increasing centrality of technology across all sectors.
Learning Through Technology
The internet has become a crucial learning tool for young people of all ages:
- 71% of under-14s reported using the internet “Quite a lot,” “All the time,” or “Always” for learning
- 92% of over-14s use the internet “Regularly,” “Frequently,” or “Always” for learning
- Only 7% in each age group reported minimal use of the internet for educational purposes
This widespread use of online learning resources highlights the importance of ensuring that all young people have reliable internet access and the skills to find and evaluate online information effectively.
Digital Access Disparities
While most respondents reported having access to technology, important gaps remain:
- 85% of under-14s reported having access to a computer or tablet for schoolwork
- 96% of over-14s said they can access a laptop/computer for learning
- 44% of over-14s reported facing issues with paying for data either sometimes or often
These findings highlight that while device access has improved, the ongoing cost of connectivity remains a barrier for many young people. This “hidden digital divide” can significantly impact educational opportunities and social connections.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
Young people are increasingly aware of online risks:
- 67% of under-14s worry about keeping their information private and safe online
- 74% of over-14s expressed concern about protecting their privacy and security
- Only 11% of younger children and 15% of teens reported having no privacy concerns
This awareness presents an opportunity to build on young people’s existing understanding with more comprehensive digital citizenship education that addresses privacy, security, and online wellbeing.
Gender Differences in Digital Confidence
Our analysis revealed interesting patterns in how different genders perceive their digital skills:
- Among under-14s, boys were more likely to rate themselves at the highest skill levels
- In the over-14 age group, 40% of males rated themselves as “Expert” compared to 30% of females
- 10% of females over 14 rated their skills as “Basic,” while no males in this age group selected this option
These confidence gaps don’t necessarily reflect actual skill differences but may influence educational and career choices. Youth organisations and educators should consider how to build digital confidence equitably across all genders.
Digital Skills Wishlist
When asked what digital skills they would like to develop further, young people expressed interest in a diverse range of areas:
- Creative digital skills (video production, online drawing, music production)
- Practical digital literacy (typing, finding reliable information)
- Technical skills (coding in various languages)
- Safety skills (identifying fake news and harmful AI-generated content)
- Communication skills (connecting with friends safely online)
This diversity of interests suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to digital education may not meet the varied aspirations of all young people.
Recommendations for Supporting Digital Readiness
Based on these findings, we recommend:
- Expanding affordable connectivity options to address data cost barriers faced by nearly half of older teens
- Developing tailored digital skills programmes that respond to young people’s diverse interests and aspirations
- Implementing confidence-building initiatives, particularly aimed at addressing gender gaps in digital self-perception
- Enhancing privacy and safety education that builds on young people’s existing awareness of online risks
- Creating opportunities for peer learning where young people can share their digital skills and learn from each other
Take Action with Voices for Impact
Are you working with children and young people? Encourage them to share their views through our digital surveys to help us continue to gather vital insights. Visit the Voices for Impact website to participate in our ongoing digital skills survey and access resources to support young people’s digital development.
By combining our collective knowledge and working directly with young people, we can ensure they develop the digital capabilities needed for future careers and full participation in an increasingly digital society.
This article is based on data collected through Voices for Impact digital surveys with children and young people across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK. The initiative is a collaboration between YMCA Ireland, Boys & Girls Clubs NI, Youth Initiatives, Youth Action NI, Youth Work Alliance, and The Bytes Project. Read more of our blogs at voicesforimpact.ai or bytes.org.