Back to School facts: 88% of children are pressuring their parents to buy the latest tech

Ah, the Back to School shopping list. It’s gone from fresh fountain pens and empty exercise books (are we showing our age?) to flashy new phones and top-of-the-range tablets.

New research by Back Market reveals that after footing the bill for a full summer of fun, parents today are expected to splurge on the latest tech and devices to ensure kids show up at the school gates well prepared. In fact, 88% of children are pressuring their parents to buy the latest tech, even when a working device is already in hand. 

But does a brand new iPhone really equate to top marks, or is there a smarter way to shop?

The summer holiday hangover is real

A whopping 95% of UK parents admit that keeping kids entertained during the summer is one of the year’s biggest challenges. And it’s not just our energy that’s drained, but our bank accounts too.

Parents spend an average of £398 just to keep kids occupied during the Summer holidays break, not to mention the eye-watering £6,209 cost of an average family holiday. So it’s no wonder when summer comes to an end our wallets – and patience – are feeling stretched to their limit.

Tech demands spike as term starts

Just when we think we can breathe, September shows up with shiny new demands – in the form of shiny new Back to School tech. 

Back Market’s latest research pinpoints growing tech pressure from kids, with almost a quarter (23%) asking for a new iPhone, a new laptop (23%), or iPad (20%) – putting tech demands almost on par with a fresh pair of top brand trainers.

Found an old iPhone at the back of a drawer or planning to save money with sibling hand-me-downs? Sadly, you’re not off the hook. As the newest tech becomes the latest status symbol, 88% of parents say their child demands the latest model, with almost three-quarters (74%) of kids using the classic, “but everyone else’s parents bought them one!!”

Kids want shiny. Parents want sustainable.

It’s no surprise that 81% of parents are stressed about Back to School shopping, with the average total spend hitting £845. And there’s more than money on our minds. 

Three-quarters of us worry about the environmental impact of buying new tech, while 70% stress about where the old devices end up (and for good reason.)

Seeking more sustainable (but equally hardworking) options, 80% of parents are open to buying refurbished tech for students. And nearly half believe that kids won’t even notice the difference—whether a device is new, secondhand, or refurbished they’ll still have to revise just as hard…

Back Market makes “new-to-you” tech a smart move

But it’s not all bad news and broke parents. There is a way to save money on Back to School tech while also doing some good for the planet: and it’s buying refurbished.  

At Back Market, refurbished doesn’t mean second-rate. Our devices are professionally restored, with each one going through a rigorous 25+ point inspection to ensure everything we sell is reliable, durable, and—the cherry on top—up to 50% less expensive. Meaning kids get their shiny phones, parents get a handle on Back to School spending, and the planet isn’t dumped with another discarded device. We’d call that a win-win-win.