UNICEF-ITU report: Two thirds of the world’s school-age children have no Internet access at home.

A new joint report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)has revealed that 1.3 billion children aged 3 to 17 years, which makes two thirds of the world’s school-age population, do not have Internet connection in their homes. The report titled ‘How many children and young people have internet access at home?’, also notes a similar lack of access among young people aged 15 to 24, with 759 million or 63% unconnected at home. The ITU and UNICEF’s report highlights the critical need of the Internet for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has called for urgent investment to help bridge the digital divide that is hampering quality digital learning and online opportunities for children and youth.