Literacy and technology
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in order to make sense of the world and communicate effectively. It includes the critical and creative literacy skills needed for the digital age. The influx of new technologies and digital platforms is transforming the way that children and young people access reading material, with digital reading and communication becoming an increasingly important part of their literacy lives.
Key statistics about technology and literacy
- 24% of pupils on free school meals read fiction digitally compared to 16% of their peers who are not eligible for free school meals. Find out more.
- Compared with young people with low critical digital literacy engagement, nearly three times as many young people with high critical digital literacy have high mental wellbeing levels (11.6% vs 30.2%). Find out more.
- 3 in 5 (62.5%) young people who play video games write something relating to video games once a month. Find out more.
Our latest research into literacy and technology
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This report presents findings from a survey exploring young people’s literacy and critical literacy attitudes and behaviours when navigating online environments.Learn more about Insights into young people’s literacy, critical digital literacy, online communication and wellbeing.
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This report outlines findings from our survey exploring young people’s literacy-related interactions both within, and in relation to, video games.Learn more about Video game playing and literacy: a survey of young people aged 11 to 16.
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This report explores the role that digital tools and resources can play in addressing the gender and disadvantage gap in young people’s literacy attitudes and outcomes, combining...Learn more about Improving the literacy skills of disadvantaged teenage boys through the use of technology.
What else we know about technology
- More than one-third (34.3%) of young people agreed with the statement, “Reading on screen is cooler than reading a book”, increasing to half (49.9%) of boys who don’t enjoy reading. Find out more.
- Half of parents are worried about the impact of fake news and misinformation on their children’s lives (50%) and don’t think their children have the skills they need to spot it (52%). Find out more.
- 3 in 4 teachers believe technology should be made available across the curriculum to support literacy. Find out more.
Our work on technology
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Technology can play a useful role in supporting early communication, language and literacy.Learn more about Digital technology and the early years.
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How to use ebooks in the classroom to promote reading for pleasure in Key Stage 1Learn more about Reading for Pleasure on and with Screens.
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What opportunities and challenges does digital technology present to children's literacy?Learn more about Literacy and digital technology.
