In 2023, a notable shift occurred in Russia as more than half of families increased their spending on children’s online education. An investigation by socialbites.ca, drawing on findings from the online IT professions school for kids Rebotica and the online recruitment platform HH.ru, revealed this trend after surveying a broad group of families. The study encompassed input from over 1,600 parents with children aged 6 to 16, providing a detailed snapshot of how households are investing in digital learning.
Across the board, most families—78 percent—reported that their children participate in online schools in addition to standard schooling. For many families, this online learning is not a short-term experiment; it spans multiple years, with 64 percent of respondents noting that their children continued the education begun in previous years during 2023. Although a sizable portion—32 percent—kept their children at the same online institution, a larger share, 42 percent, switched to a different platform. Additionally, 26 percent of parents purchased an online course for their child for the first time in 2023, signaling growing interest and willingness to explore digital learning options.
When it comes to how online education complements formal schooling, 51 percent of respondents reported that their children studied alongside regular curricula in an online format. Many students expanded their horizons through foreign language study, with 40 percent of parents confirming this pursuit. Interest in IT careers and programming is climbing as well, reflected in 25 percent of responses. A notable 2023 trend is the rising appeal of online chess lessons, chosen by 8 percent of participants who sought a cognitive and strategic supplement to traditional learning.
Spending on online education for children in 2023 showed a split pattern: 45 percent of families kept expenditures steady, while 55 percent increased their outlays. Among those raising spending, the majority—59 percent—saw rises in the 10–20 percent range. A smaller but significant segment, 34 percent, reported a 40 percent jump, and 7 percent indicated a 30 percent increase. These figures illustrate a broader appetite for online learning, driven by perceived advantages in flexibility and outcomes.
Why are families ready to allocate more budget to online schooling? The central justification centers on enhanced engagement: many parents felt that online classes held their children’s interest more effectively than traditional classrooms. The remote format was praised for its convenience, allowing students to study when time and mood aligned, which many parents believed improved learning efficiency and progress. Another important factor cited was the absence of school bullying in online environments, contributing to a calmer, more focused study experience for some children.
Overall, the core motivation for investing in online lessons remained the development of practical skills with clear future utility. Parents emphasized that digital courses equip their children with capabilities that will support their ongoing learning journeys and future educational pursuits, with 57 percent highlighting this practical value in the survey.
It is worth noting that the data reflect trends observed up to and beyond 2023, underscoring a continuing interest in flexible, digitally delivered education formats. The combination of flexible scheduling, targeted skill development, and a broader array of courses appears to be shaping how families plan for their children’s education in the years that followed. For example, the rise in language learning and IT-related study aligns with how many families are preparing their children for a technology-forward economy and global collaboration. Contemporary discussions point to ongoing interest in cognitive development activities like strategy games, which may complement formal schooling without supplanting it.
Analysts and educators alike note that parental decisions to expand online education budgets are influenced by perceptions of improved student engagement, safer learning environments, and the broader availability of diverse digital resources. The evolution of this sector continues to be monitored by researchers and industry observers who aim to understand how digital platforms can best support children’s learning trajectories while maintaining a balanced, well-rounded education. (Source: socialbites.ca citing Rebotica and HH.ru findings; ongoing observations through 2024 and beyond.)