UK students know more about IT than their teachers, according to 90 per cent of educational staff.

Research conducted at the BETT education technology show in London indicates that teachers are under growing pressure to match the IT skills of their pupils.

"Although many pupils are really clued-up when it comes to technology, they still need to be protected both in school and at home," said a spokeswoman for Taiwanese hardware firm ZyXEL Communications UK, who carried out the survey.

"When 90 per cent of IT staff and teachers think pupils know more than them, the onus is on teachers to ensure their pupils are not at risk."