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<p>A survey by Ofcom showed that during 2021, 94% of children (aged 0 to 17) in England
had internet access and used it in the home, and figures for the UK show that almost
half (47%) of children aged 3 to 17 used a laptop or netbook to go online, and 17%
used a desktop. Use of more personal and portable devices was more common, with more
than four in ten children (43%) saying they only used any device other than a laptop,
netbook, or desktop to go online. The survey is available here: <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/234609/childrens-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2022.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/234609/childrens-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2022.pdf</a>.</p><p>The
department has data on the number of devices distributed to local authorities. However,
we only know where devices were shipped. The devices distributed through the department
are owned by schools, trusts, local authorities or further education (FE) providers
who can lend these devices to children and young people who need them the most. The
department does not have visibility of how devices move or how ownership was transferred
after receipt.</p><p>10,272 devices were distributed to Hounslow local authority as
part of the get help with technology scheme, including 9,685 laptops or tablets and
587 4G routers.</p><p>For all London constituencies, the total number of devices distributed
was 354,493, including 334,075 laptops or tablets and 20,418 4G routers.</p><p>The
department does not have data for the number of devices distributed to Feltham and
Heston constituency.</p><p>The department has delivered over 1.95 million laptops
and tablets to schools, trusts, local authorities and further education providers
for disadvantaged children and young people as part of a £520 million government investment
to support access to remote education and online social care services.</p><p>The department
also provided support for over 130,000 families to get online through uplifts in mobile
data and 4G wireless routers. This included partnering with the UK’s leading mobile
operators to provide free data to help over 33,000 disadvantaged children get online
and delivering over 100,000 4G wireless routers for pupils without connection at home.
The government also provided funding to support schools and FE providers in providing
internet access for disadvantaged pupils whose face-to-face education is disrupted
due to COVID-19.</p><p>The get help with technology service is transitioning to provide
further support to schools and colleges on meeting technology standards, including
in relation to connectivity and devices. This is focused now on levelling up technology
in schools and other education providers rather than in homes, but the support and
funding already provided should give schools the flexibility to provide remote education
support and can continue to be used in the longer term.</p>
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