Kids risk falling behind without digital skills. It’s never too early to get your tots tech-ready

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, access to technology has become essential for participation in various aspects of life – whether that’s managing finances online, seeking job opportunities, or staying connected with family and friends.

Yet, without the necessary digital skills, many risk missing out on opportunities and feeling left behind. Often, digital exclusion is framed around the challenges faced by older generations, but ultimately it can have a big impact on people’s quality of life at any age.

According to the Good Things Foundation, up to 8.5 million people in the UK lack basic digital skills, and 24% consider themselves digitally excluded in some form.

• Starmer wants to ‘mainline’ AI into the UK’s ‘veins’. Here are the opportunities – and the risks
• Are you doomscrolling on TikTok for hours on end? Here’s how to stop the social media brain rot

Digital exclusion can stem from a range of factors, such as lack of access to devices, low digital literacy, or insufficient internet connectivity. What’s often overlooked, however, is that dealing with these challenges begins earlier than we might think – and, in many cases, starts with young children. With data showing that digital gaps are currently highest among 18 to 24-year-olds (42%), the need for early intervention becomes even more apparent.

Introducing digital skills to preschoolers can be one of the most effective ways to prevent digital exclusion before it becomes an issue. Digital literacy has become as essential as reading and writing. Whether for school, work, or navigating daily life, being confident with tech is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. By teaching these skills from an early age, we ensure children are better equipped to build on them as they grow.

Young children have a natural curiosity. They press buttons, explore, and experiment without hesitation – a mindset that supports learning. Yet, as we grow older, that confidence can diminish. We become more self-conscious, afraid of making mistakes, asking silly questions, and are more likely to hold ourselves back.

Exposing children to digital tools before they start school helps them see mistakes as part of the learning process, rather than something to fear, while building confidence and resilience – qualities that go far beyond just tech skills. The positive impact often ripples out to parents and carers as well, who, inspired by their children’s ease with technology, frequently gain new skills themselves.

Rather than turning children into whizz-kids, teaching them about technology focuses on nurturing their creativity and curiosity. Whether they’re drawing on a tablet, playing interactive games, or exploring apps, these activities are not only fun but also educational – they help develop problem solving skills and encourage a flexible approach to new challenges.  

Research supports the idea that thoughtfully integrating technology into early education can improve literacy, numeracy, and problem solving skills. Of course, moderation is key. The goal isn’t for children to be glued to screens all day but to complement traditional play with purposeful use of digital tools.

For children and adults most at risk of digital exclusion, it often starts in the community and across the UK there are a range of programmes helping to improve connectivity and get more devices into the hands of the people who need it most.

The Digitots initiative we run at Rosemount Lifelong Learning, is just one example. With support from the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation’s Digital Skills Fund, we have designed a programme designed for children aged three to five that helps them explore technology through hands-on, engaging activities in a fun, interactive way.

But it’s not just about the kids – we are committed to supporting the whole family and have seen how parents benefit as well. Through our Digitbites initiative, we host weekly sessions for families and people of all ages to explore a wide range of digital technologies together.

In one instance, we had a 45-year-old uncle who attended a session as a guardian for his young nephew. Initially, he was hesitant to engage due to low confidence, and he observed from the sidelines during a virtual reality (VR) activity. With encouragement, he eventually gave it a try. His hesitation quickly turned to curiosity and excitement as he explored VR for the first time.

The breakthrough inspired him to seek one-to-one support from our IT tutor, where he began focusing on digital literacy skills, including completing online job applications. His story highlights how even small steps can lead to transformative growth and open the door to new opportunities.

Focusing on preschoolers is all about playing the long-game and future-proofing to help prevent the challenges associated with digital exclusion later in life. As technology continues to evolve, providing every child with the opportunity to develop these skills is one of the best investments we can make. It’s not just about preparing them for the future – it’s about equipping our future leaders with the tools to shape it.

Sean Morrow is chief executive officer at Rosemount Lifelong Learning.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.