Mass Net

As we move further into a digital age, we must ensure everyone has access to technology and the internet. This will require infrastructure development, affordability measures, education initiatives, and accessibility projects.

A lack of access to technology and the internet disproportionately impacts households earning less than $100,000 per year. Addressing this gap is critical for economic development and social mobility.

Accessibility

In today’s digital age, access to digital infrastructure is essential for maintaining employment, pursuing education, and securing financial security. The lack of access disproportionately impacts communities that are already at a disadvantage, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting social mobility. Efforts to promote digital equity require an intersectional approach, including internet accessibility initiatives, affordability measures, and digital literacy programs.

The fastest broadband in the world does little good if users can’t afford to adopt it. In order to achieve true digital equity, broadband providers must work with local partners to provide a range of support services that can help people overcome barriers to adoption and maximize the benefits of the digital economy.

Libraries are well-positioned to expand digital access as state and federal broadband expansion efforts roll out, and they’re already working hard to meet these needs. They can help with device access, training, and research support, among other things. They’re also leading the charge in creating sustainable interventions and digital literacy education to ensure long-term success.

Some health systems are even experimenting with telehealth tools to address the issue. UVA Health in a state, for example, partnered with social service providers to connect COVID-19 patients with home-based care and help them monitor their symptoms and share data with doctors. This approach can reduce costs and enable more efficient, scalable healthcare delivery models.

Affordability

In many underserved communities, affordability is the biggest barrier to digital inclusion. For example, high-speed internet connections are crucial to accessing online resources for education, work, and navigating government services. Yet, in rural areas where incomes are typically lower, the cost of broadband subscriptions can be prohibitively expensive.

Digital equity means all individuals and communities have access to the information technology (IT) necessary to participate fully in society and the economy. It includes access to broadband internet, personal computers and digital devices, and local technology support and training programs. It also involves addressing biases and amplifying marginalized voices in the digital world.

Achieving digital equity can help underserved communities address challenges in their social, economic, and civic lives. It can help them pursue educational and professional opportunities, create new business ideas, and maintain employment or obtain financial security. It can also help them stay safe and healthy.

It can also enable them to participate in civic and political activities, advocate for their rights, and connect. However, despite recent progress, we still have far to go towards achieving digital equity. The divide persists in the country and worldwide, with gaps based on place, demographics, and income levels. These gaps disproportionately affect people of color, households with low incomes, rural populations, and older adults. This is why it’s so important to continue the work of ensuring digital equity for all.

Adoption

Many in underserved communities lack access to the technology that can help them thrive in our tech-dependent world. That means broadband internet, digital devices like computers and smartphones, and the digital literacy skills to use those tools effectively. Without these, students struggle to complete assignments and research, can’t connect with family online, and may miss out on opportunities that could put them on a path to economic security.

A recent study found that people with the lowest incomes are significantly less likely to have home broadband service, and more than 22 million Americans lacked wireline broadband at home in 2020. Without home internet, families are forced to spend extra money on alternative methods of connectivity, which can increase costs and create barriers to reinvesting savings into education or business. Additionally, without access to digital information and learning resources, students can fall behind their peers, which can make it difficult to catch up as technology advances even more rapidly.

Addressing the digital divide requires a broad vision of digital equity that goes beyond connectivity and includes dismantling systemic barriers, redistributing digital power, and empowering marginalized communities to shape their technological futures. To that end, we have identified several digital equity themes to guide our work. Some of these themes are at the individual level (eg, barriers to virtual care and internet access), some are organizational (eg, promising community-based organization practices), and others are societal (eg, policies that lead to digital redlining). A few examples of these themes are highlighted below:

Education

While access to digital infrastructure is essential for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy, people must also be competent users of that technology. This includes digital literacy, a supportive learning environment, and qualified teachers who are capable of creating lessons that involve and incorporate technology effectively.

A comprehensive digital equity strategy must address all of these factors. Non-profit organizations are a critical part of this effort, promoting awareness about the importance of equitable access to technology, providing on-the-ground technical support and training, offering digital equity grants, and establishing partnerships with local community members.

Schools are another important aspect of ensuring digital equity. Providing students with access to devices and reliable internet connectivity is an essential first step. To do this, school administrators should consider working with community organizations to establish a technology advisory committee that can assess needs and develop an improvement plan. Similarly, they should explore options for providing hotspots and other devices to help underserved communities access the internet and participate in online learning.

In addition, the educational environment must be welcoming and inclusive to all students. This means that students must see themselves reflected in the fields they are studying, and be mentored by professionals who look like them. It also involves making sure that girls are exposed to women in STEM careers and coding clubs, as well as ensuring that all students have access to qualified teachers who can support their digital learning journeys.