Technology use and digital access among unpaid carers

Key messages

• the report is based on an online survey of 10,539 carers conducted between June and August 2025.
• many carers rely on online information and digital tools to understand benefits, services and support available to them.
• digital access is an important route through which carers seek guidance on managing caring responsibilities and navigating health and social care systems.
• carers report using the internet to access information about caring, financial support and services, demonstrating the growing importance of digital channels for support.
• however, digital access does not replace the need for clear, accessible information and practical support from services and professionals.

Policy implications

• digital information and online services should be designed so carers can easily access guidance on support, benefits and services.
• government and health and social care organisations should recognise digital channels as a key mechanism through which carers seek support.
• digital services should complement, rather than replace, other routes to support such as advice services and direct engagement with professionals.

Gaps

• the report does not evaluate the effectiveness of digital tools or technologies used by carers.
• there is limited analysis of how digital exclusion affects different groups of carers.
• the report does not examine outcomes associated with technology use, such as impacts on wellbeing, care coordination or service access.

Commentary
The State of Caring 2025 report highlights the increasing importance of digital information and technology in supporting unpaid carers. Online platforms are widely used to access guidance on benefits, services and caring responsibilities. This reflects broader shifts in health and social care systems, where information and service navigation increasingly take place through digital channels.

However, the report also suggests that digital access alone cannot address the practical and emotional challenges carers face. Technology may support information access, but carers continue to rely on professional advice, community services and peer support to manage complex caring responsibilities.

The findings also raise important issues relating to care equity. When support systems rely heavily on digital access, carers who lack reliable internet access, digital skills or confidence may struggle to obtain the information and assistance they need. This can create uneven access to support, particularly for older carers or those experiencing financial disadvantage.

Overall, the report reinforces the role of digital information as an important component of support for carers, while highlighting the need for inclusive design and multiple routes to assistance to ensure carers are not excluded from essential services.