Website of the UK government

When asked what one online service they want from the internet in future the top answers were:

• ‘No show’ truancy alert if child doesn’t arrive at school (wanted by parents)
• Taking a virtual tour of colleges or universities (14-18 year olds)
• Guide to local services for older people (over 50s)
• Renew car tax online (motorists)
• Personalised journey planners mapped by accessibility (disabled people)

Parents - the virtual school

Tracking children’s movements outside of school as a safety measure emerged as a key theme

Parents revealed that they want to get more involved with their children’s education, with a quarter most wanting to receive immediate online alerts if their child hasn’t turned up for registration. In separate focus group sessions, parents said they want to use online technology to support their child’s learning, such as being able to play back school lessons to help with homework.

Almost one in 10 parents most want to have a bigger say in how their child’s school is run, such as by taking part in online PTA meetings and one in 12 want to view the school’s disciplinary record on the web. Tracking children’s movements outside of school as a safety measure emerged as a key theme, with some even suggesting children should be fitted with a transmitter monitored by their parents!

• Parents

Young people - planning for the future

Young people may have a reputation for gaming and chatting online, but the study revealed that 14-18 year olds actually want to be able to use the internet as a tool to improve themselves. When asked what service they most want from the internet in future, almost a fifth said they’d like to be able to take virtual tours of colleges and universities and this same figure most want to be able to have virtual driving lessons.

One in eight want to be able to ditch the traditional Saturday job to earn money online using their skills and one in 10, rising to one in six boys, most wanted to be able to learn trade skills such as mechanics or plumbing to help gain qualifications.

• Young people

Over 50s - staying connected

One in five over 50s most desire a guide to local services for their age group, including transport, leisure, learning and health, while one in six most want to stay in better touch with friends and family via webcams and video conferencing. Planning for retirement, tracking pensions and making money online also featured highly.

Interestingly, some of the services most desired by the over 50s already exist or will be available in the near future on websites such as Directgov. This, coupled with the fact that only 48% of over 50s feel the internet has made their life better compared with the national average of 68%, suggests that this generation may be failing to take advantage of the web.

• Over 50s

Motorists – responsible driving

For motorists, services which would save them time and make them a more responsible driver are a top priority. Over one in five most want to be able to renew their car tax online, one in 10 want to put their car through a virtual MOT and the same number want to renew their driving licence online. One in eight want to access their car’s history and one in 10 want to be able to get insurance quotes for an accident online. With a growing environmental consciousness, one in seven drivers most want to be able to calculate the exact carbon emissions of their car and the youngest motorists seem keenest to report a bad driver (15% of 18-24 year olds).

• Motoring

Disabled people – passport to freedom

For disabled people the most desired future services are those which could allow them more time and freedom.  One in 10 (one in five drivers) most want the ability to plan journeys with accessibility mapped out according to their requirements and over one in 10 want check-ups online by ‘virtual medics’. A further one in 10 (one in five parents) want to meet more people with their condition online and one in seven 35-44 year olds most want to be able to have face-to-face meetings such as job interviews or benefit claims renewals online.

• Disabled people

Emerging themes

"...themes did emerge; staying connected with friends and family, saving time and hassle..."

Spencer Kelly of the BBC’s flagship technology programme, Click, said: “Internet technology is developing all the time and every group in society will benefit as its capabilities grow. Although some of the responses from the study may seem a little farfetched, there is no reason why you wouldn’t be able to have a job interview or a health check-up online in future – after all, 10 years ago who’d have thought you would be able to do any of the things we now take for granted at the click of a button?”

Jayne Nickalls, Chief Executive Officer of Directgov explains the thinking behind the research: “With two thirds of our sample saying that the internet is invaluable in helping them to manage their lives, this project helps us to understand what information people want and to scope out the future of online services. Although each group has different needs and priorities, some themes did emerge; staying connected with friends and family, saving time and hassle by increasingly moving to web-based contact with public services and tools that enhance life experiences.

“With 60% of respondents saying they want more government services in one place online, all of the insights we gained will be taken into consideration as we plan the future of Directgov. The site currently offers a wide range of services and there’s something for everyone, from advice on schools, applying for a driving license and finding a job, to understanding benefits rights, planning a journey and finding out about local recycling schemes.”