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National survey reveals digitally literate teens poised to transform economy.
A nationwide survey of 1000 13-17 year olds has revealed a growing number of digitally literate teens able to code, hack, and who are happy to swap their personal information in return for cash. The findings are published today in the eighth annual Realtime Generation report commissioned by Logicalis UK, entitled ‘The Age of Digital Enlightenment’.
A day-in-the-life of a UK teen is mobile (93% own a smartphone) and includes nine hours online, consuming, publishing or creating content. For this generation, there is an app for everything and, if one doesn’t exist, a growing number (18% currently) are acquiring the coding skills to build their own.
42% would rather accept £15, equivalent to the price of a large pizza, for giving away their personal information than earn cash from a job. As consumers, teens clearly understand the commercial value of their personal data, and are willing to share information provided it results in a better service or deal.
7% have tried hacking - 1 in 14. Proportionately this equates to at least one hacker per classroom. And whilst most say they are hacking out of curiosity, it’s important these skills are channelled to the benefit of society.
Gerry Carroll, author of the report and marketing director at Logicalis UK, comments, “While some of the statistics around hacking and online behaviour may be alarming, it’s essential we recognise the economic potential of these instinctively digital teenagers. Whether creating new careers in an increasingly digitalised workplace, or nurturing the skills so sorely needed in the IT industry, today’s teenagers are better placed than ever before to achieve the efficiency and productivity promise of IT. Public and private sector organisations should nurture and channel these talents, creating the right opportunities for these digitally enlightened teens to deliver their true dividend.”
At school, 81% think teachers do a great job integrating digital learning into class, and 60% believe the current ICT curriculum offers an adequate foundation for their higher education and career aspirations. A respectable 41% are taking a qualification in a computer science subject and just over half (52%) would make ICT and computer sciences mandatory (of which, 45% were girls).
Carroll continues, “With numerous reports bemoaning the loss of jobs to increasingly computerised functions, this generation is busy developing the skills it needs for careers that don’t yet exist. The next decade will see an influx of employees whose capabilities will be light years ahead from our existing expectations of ‘ICT skills’. Able to create, build or knowledgeably commission the IT they want, today’s teenagers are a future workforce with the potential to enable and transform the UK’s digital economy.”
Silicon Valley addicts:
Security: Victims and hackers in every classroom
Digital Rights: Tech savvy consumers who understand the value of their personal data
Coding Teens: Gender split narrows as teens get digital fix in classroom, but it’s not to every teen’s taste
Career Aspirations: More work to be done getting girls into ICT
Employee Habits: A digital workforce waiting in the wings
Survey Methodology
About the Realtime Generation survey?
Logicalis’ Realtime Generation survey seeks to establish the digital footprint of 13-17 years olds, the next generation of workers, and capture their opinions on the digital future of the UK. The Realtime Generation survey provides a unique insight for universities, employers and Government into how this generation’s expectations, concerns and aspirations for its education, prospective careers and consumer demands will influence our economy.
Media contact:
Greg Halse / Jacob Petterson
Cohesive Communications
+44 (0) 1291 626200
Out of Hours Tel. +44 (0)7890 26 4404
logicalis@wearecohesive.com
