End Digital Poverty for Care Leavers

Leading charities and youth organisations call to end to digital poverty among care leavers.

13:59 01 October 2020

A group of youth charities is urging authorities to bridge the gap in digital poverty and provide access to thousands of care leavers in England who are left without decent internet connectivity.

 

The Care Leavers National Movement has released an open letter to ministers urging them to address the issue that leaves 80,000 care leavers aged 18-25 isolated by coronavirus restrictions. The group has asked the government to take all measures to ensure that every affected individual will be provided with a device and an internet access as soon as possible so they can live independently.

 

CLNM chair Luke Fox said: “Digital poverty is not just about teenagers and those leaving care getting free internet and devices as many will think,” 

 

“Everything uses the internet in this generation, and it’s only becoming more advanced and integral. Running a home, having a career, a social life and everything in between has become almost dependent on having this connection and types of devices.

 

“That is the reason for the campaign, we want care leavers to have the same chances and success as those who were not in care. Is that too much to ask?”

 

6Gi and other companies continually strive to help disadvantaged communities and individuals.