Parents across the UK are being urged to check whether they could qualify for a £12.50 broadband tariff as exam season approaches. New research from Virgin Media O2 shows the internet has become increasingly important for students preparing for exams. With less than 60 days until GCSE and A-Level exams begin, many families say online access now plays a key role in revision and homework.

The research found that 80% of parents believe the internet is more important to their child’s education than it was two years ago. Nearly three quarters (73%) said home internet is now as essential for education as textbooks once were. Meanwhile 68% of parents believe children without regular internet access risk falling behind classmates. Despite this, two in five parents (40%) are unaware that discounted broadband and mobile tariffs are available to households receiving certain government benefits.

In response, Virgin Media O2 is encouraging eligible families to check whether they qualify for its Essential Broadband social tariff, which starts from £12.50 per month.

The company’s research also highlights how digital learning has become embedded in everyday school life.

Seven in ten parents with home internet (70%) say more than half of their child’s homework is completed online.

Students are regularly expected to use school portals or homework platforms (72%), online revision apps (69%), video platforms (64%), and downloadable past papers or revision materials (58%) while studying.

Because of this shift towards digital learning, 84% of parents say home internet is essential for their child to do well in exams.

A further 86% believe students without it are at a disadvantage. However, financial pressure remains a concern for many households.

More than three quarters of parents (76%) say they are worried about rising living costs, while 22% say they are struggling to cover normal household expenses.

Without reliable internet at home, 73% of parents say their child would struggle to revise properly.

Meanwhile 68% believe their child would fall behind classmates, 64% think exam results would suffer, and 61% say important learning resources could be missed.

For some families this is already happening. One in seven parents (14%) say their child has had to go elsewhere to get online to study, while 16% rely on mobile data rather than fixed broadband.

Virgin Media O2 says its social tariffs aim to help address this issue. The Essential Broadband plan costs £12.50 a month and provides speeds of 15Mbps, while Essential Broadband Plus costs £20 a month and offers speeds of 54Mbps.

Both packages are available on 30-day rolling contracts, with no activation fees, no exit fees and no price rises while customers receive benefits.

They are available to households receiving Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-based Employment Support Allowance.

Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Exam season is one of the most important periods in a young person’s education, and today reliable home internet plays a vital role in how students revise and prepare.

“But many families are under real financial pressure, and some may not realise discounted support is available. Through Virgin Media O2’s social tariffs, we’re helping eligible households access affordable broadband, so no student is disadvantaged when it matters most.”

Virgin Media O2 says families who believe they may qualify can follow three simple steps.

First, they should contact Virgin Media via its live chat on the website.

Next, the company will ask for basic details such as name, postcode and date of birth, which can be used, with permission, to check eligibility with the Department for Work and Pensions.

If approved, the household can then set up their chosen broadband tariff with £0 set-up costs.

The plans also include Virgin Media Essential Security, which provides adjustable parental controls allowing families to set timers, restrict access and block certain website categories.

Virgin Media O2 also works with the organisation Internet Matters to offer advice and tips to help parents keep children safe online.