Topic: 2026 – Digital Equity for Children
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Vivian Brodie
Committee: UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
Topic A: Digital Equity for Children
State: United Kingdom
Delegate: Vivian Brodie
School: Grand Haven High School
As the world transitions to a digital age, the issue of ensuring all children have access to the digital world has become increasingly crucial. To participate in the current society, technology is necessary. “Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services” (National Forum). This is an issue because 1.3 billion or 38% of children aged 3-17 have no home internet access (UNICEF). Along with the problem of access comes the issue of digital literacy. Many children not only lack access to technology but also lack the education and knowledge to navigate the online world. Ensuring that the digital divide is reduced means that all children are given an equal chance to thrive.
The United Kingdom is working towards closing the digital divide for its children. The UK was heavily hit when Covid 19 forced children to stay at home. Many children who had no home internet access struggled to receive their education. This dilemma highlighted the need for equal access and opportunity for all children. The United Kingdom also believes that, for many children in less developed countries, their options are limited by the digital divide. Providing these children with equal access gives them opportunities. The United Kingdom believes that opportunities should not be given due to a child’s wealth, but instead their hard work. Currently, the UK is investing 45 million Euros to support digital equity for children (Department) and believes that other countries that have the means should also work towards closing the digital divide among the youth population.
Many solutions to digital inequality exist, some of which are easier to implement and more impactful than others. One solution is to improve infrastructure in less developed areas. Improving infrastructure is an effective measure for less developed countries, but for more developed countries, it may not be an effective plan due to the already developed infrastructure. Other solutions include increasing accessibility with, for example, public computers or school-provided devices and internet. Another necessary action is providing education; an increase in technology will be no help in closing the digital divide if the children can not navigate the digital world. If education were to be provided, not only would kids be safer online, but they would also be able to find opportunities that otherwise would have been unavailable.
The United Kingdom feels that the best solution to this problem would be working with schools to provide technology and internet access to students. This way, all children above the age of 5 would have access to technology. The schools could work to educate students on the possibilities and opportunities the digital world has to offer, the dangers of the digital world, and how to use technology. This provides solutions to not only close the digital gap due to poverty or limited access, but also limited understanding. As mentioned before, the UK has currently invested 45 million Euros into closing the digital divide through school-provided digital access. The UK feels that other countries should follow these actions, but understands that for less developed countries, infrastructure improvements may be more efficient or necessary before further action. The UK believes that funding from wealthier countries is necessary to move forward and provide digital equality to all children.
Work Cited
Department for Education. “No Child Left Behind in Plans to Narrow the Digital Divide in Education.” GOV.UK, 21 Mar. 2025, www.gov.uk/government/news/no-child-left-behind-in-plans-to-narrow-the-digital-divide-in-education.
“National Forum on Education Statistics.” Ed.gov, National Center for Education Statistics, 2020, nces.ed.gov/forum/digitalequity_chapter1.asp.
UNICEF. “Two Thirds of the World’s School-Age Children Have No Internet Access at Home, New UNICEF-ITU Report Says.” UNICEF, 30 Nov. 2020, www.unicef.org/press-releases/two-thirds-worlds-school-age-children-have-no-internet-access-home-new-unicef-itu.
