Internet and fresh water - Gen Z say they're both human rights

Gen Z believe internet access should be a 'human right', according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 78 per cent of 18–28-year-olds think getting online at all times should be treated the same way as being able to access clean running water – as do 53 per cent of Brits overall.

With 82 per cent of Gen Z believing streaming information fast is now a basic human need, since so much of what we do each day requires it.

And eight in 10 could not imagine a world without the web.

The research was commissioned by charity, Hello World, which works to provide free solar powered internet hubs to communities around the world with no online access.

Katrin McMillan, founder and CEO, said: "It's not surprising young people in the UK feel the internet is something that should be given to everyone everywhere - and our work has shown the transformative effect of digital inclusion.

"However, around the world, billions of people have no internet, making it almost impossible to access essentials like education and healthcare advice, and to solve problems, advocate for their rights, access banking services, find employment, and stay in touch with family and friends in an increasingly digital world.

"I would argue that the internet is even more crucial for remote and marginalised communities where there are no social services than it is here in the UK, and it's heartening to know that the younger generation here feels so strongly that the thing they take for granted should be given to everyone worldwide."

The study showed 86 per cent of all adults are unaware almost three billion people across the world live their lives offline.

While 35 per cent either didn't believe or weren't aware that communities in some countries still have no access to electricity. 

Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) rely on the internet in some capacity for their livelihoods, with 52 per cent admitting they wouldn't have been able to enter their profession without the internet. 

While it's no surprise that 75 per cent of Gen Z rely on the internet to carry most, if not all, of their day-to-day activities, a surprisingly high number of Boomers (72 per cent) could not imagine living a disconnected life now – even though they are old enough to remember what life was like before the web.

Those polled, via OnePoll.com, reckon access to information (41 per cent), modern healthcare (30 per cent), and education (12 per cent) would be the biggest challenges for communities worldwide living with no internet. 

And Brits weren't too far off - according to Hello World, communities mostly used their internet hubs, called 'Hello Hubs', to access education such as university programmes abroad, DIY solutions and repairs, and modern healthcare.

In contrast, entertainment like social media, TV and playing games (33 per cent) and being able to connect with distant family (23 per cent) were the top things Brits would miss if they lived offline. 

While 73 per cent feel web access in rural or underserved areas should be a primary goal for international development.

Katrin McMillan, from The charitable organisation which has created 114 hubs across Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi and Nepal, connecting close to 125,000 people, said: "We must remember how difficult life would be without access to the internet. 

"The survey shows many in the UK struggle to imagine a disconnected life – even those that can remember the days before the so-called 'world wide web'.

"Internet access and digital inclusion drive economic development, support access to vital services, and improve livelihoods – yet the reality is one third of the world's population lack access to the internet. 

"Hello Hubs are the only source of internet connectivity for the communities we work in, meaning entire communities and societal institutions rely on us to build bright futures through the internet.

"I am confident that as we scale up our services, we can ensure the children of tomorrow – no matter where they were born – have equal access to the opportunities the internet can enable."