New UK Youth Report Looks at the Untapped Potential of Digital Collaboration 

Technology is essential to young people’s lives and to effective youth provision, yet many youth organisations in the UK face digital inequality, limiting their ability to provide effective support to young people. New research from UK Youth, commissioned by Osborne Clarke, an international legal practice, examined this issue and identified seven recommendations to better support the youth sector’s digital needs.

Drawing from interviews with youth sector stakeholders, experts experienced in designing, funding, and delivering digital inclusion projects, and professionals from the tech sector, the research aims to identify where stronger connections can be made to better support the infrastructure, skills, and funding youth organisations need to fully participate in a digitally-connected support system.

“There is a disconnect between how funders and charities see digital funding.
Funders see it as a cost; charities see it as an investment.” 

Operating with outdated devices, unreliable connectivity and limited access to core tools such as secure data storage, makes it difficult to implement digital solutions or integrate with wider systems used by local authorities and partner organisations. Not only does this prevent a more responsive and joined-up support for young people, but also severely limits youth workers’ ability to deliver services and support for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged background, who rely on youth organisations for digital access.

“No amount of digital, good digital practice or webinars is
going to change the fact that I can’t afford a better laptop.”

Barriers on the ground

At the same time, digital confidence across youth workers remains uneven. Many practitioners reported limited access to training in areas such as digital delivery, safeguarding in online spaces and data management, leaving organisations underprepared for emerging technologies and the growing digital dimensions of youth work.

Funding is also a major barrier, as digital infrastructure is rarely covered by grant and programme funding. This can leave organisations, particularly smaller charities, unable to invest in devices, connectivity, software licences or ongoing maintenance. Digital adoption can be further slowed by capacity constraints and organisational culture, with some expressing concerns that technology could replace the relational work at the heart of youth services.

When tech doesn’t fit

The research also highlighted a disconnect between the needs of youth organisations and the products offered by the technology sector. Many tools are designed for commercial or general charity environments rather than the safeguarding, trust-based relationships and flexible delivery models that define youth work.

“Digital/Tech professionals tend to latch onto activities they recognise,
but don’t always understand the relational practice that sits underneath.”

Without coordinated leadership and collaboration, youth organisations will struggle to adapt, innovate, and deliver the outcomes that young people deserve in a digital age and risk falling further behind as technology evolves.

Crucially, digital must be seen not just as a technical fix, but as a strategic enabler and one that strengthens relationships, improves outcomes, and empowers professionals and tech sector to work together more effectively in service of young people’s needs.

Despite these challenges, the report outlines several recommendations aimed at unlocking the youth sector’s digital potential.

A Minimum Digital Standard for youth organisations should be developed, setting out the essential digital infrastructure required for organisations to operate effectively. This would provide a benchmark to guide investment and ensure organisations have the basic systems, connectivity and tools needed to participate in digital collaboration.

Technology companies should support the youth sector through corporate social responsibility initiatives, including commitments to provide devices, improved connectivity, maintenance support and access to affordable social tariffs.

Youth sector infrastructure bodies, including National Youth Agency and regional youth work organisations, should collaborate on a digital strategy toolkit to help youth organisations plan and implement their own digital development. This toolkit would include practical templates, training and guidance, and would be piloted with a small cohort of organisations.

Technology companies are urged to work with youth sector bodies to develop regional technical support hubs, AI-enabled help tools and peer learning networks to provide accessible, real-time assistance.

Government is encouraged to explore the development of a centralised digital platform at local authority level. A prototype platform could support referrals, case management and data sharing between youth organisations, councils and other services working with young people.

The report also proposes convening a National Digital Infrastructure Summit, bringing together technology companies, government and youth sector organisations to align priorities, showcase solutions and develop a shared roadmap for digital transformation.

Finally, the report highlights the need to embed digital safeguarding, cybersecurity and digital citizenship into professional development pathways across the youth workforce, ensuring practitioners are equipped to respond to emerging online risks.

Together, the recommendations aim to move the sector beyond piecemeal digital adoption towards a coordinated approach that enables youth organisations to collaborate more effectively and support young people in an increasingly digital world.