With technology in the classroom at an all-time high and the demands of digital age felt by nearly every demographic, the need for digital equity has never been more important. The digital divide in education is a very real problem and its effects have been felt particularly during the pandemic.
What is the Digital Divide in Education?
To understand the digital divide in education, we must first understand the digital divide and its origins.
First coined in the mid 1990s, the digital divide largely referred to those who had a personal computer and those that did not. The high cost of personal computers created a natural gap between those who could afford them and those who could not afford them.
Much has been done to bridge this divide: the cost of personal computers has declined over time, alternative options like smartphones and tablets have been introduced and have replaced the need for a personal computer in certain households, and income has generally trended upward in the last 30 years.
Today, the digital divide can largely be defined as those who benefit from the digital age and those who do not. Specifically, the digital divide in education refers to the equitable access of technology—specifically devices and the internet.
Prevalence of the Digital Divide in Education
Approximately 15% of households with school-aged children lack access to the internet. This divide is felt most greatly in marginalized communities—low-income households and communities of color.
In terms of internet access, this is what know about adults in the US:
- 92% of households with annual income greater than 75,000 have internet at home
- 57% of households with annual income less than $30,000 have internet at home
- 80% of white households have internet access
- 71% of black households have internet access
- 65% of Hispanic households have internet access
Globally, we see this chasm widen even further: 58% of families from the richest households have internet while only 16% of families from the poorest households have internet.
Impact of the Digital Divide
Approximately 87% of households in the US have internet, well over the majority. So, why is equitable access to devices and high-speed internet so crucial?
The pain from the digital divide in education becomes especially acute during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these groups live in more urban communities, which have been the most restrictive in pandemic guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus. Many schools in these cities have been fully remote. With students only access to high-speed internet coming from school, these students have been unable to learn.
Worldwide and national crises aside, the impact of the digital divide in education is felt most immediately by students unable to complete their daily assignments. This is referred to as the homework gap—students that lack the connectivity to complete their assignments at home. Almost 20% of teens say they are often or are sometimes unable to complete a homework assignment because they do not have reliable access to a computer or the internet.
Overall, students without computer or internet access risk falling behind. There is no denying the impact of the digital age. So much of what we do now—from schoolwork to applying for a job to online banking—requires a device and access to the internet. It’s crucial that students are equipped with the digital skills they need to succeed and prepare for the future. Without equitable access, students may miss key milestones and have declining grades that don’t reflect their comprehension, but circumstances beyond their control. In turn, this could lead to being held back, which studies confirm increase the likelihood of a student dropping out of school altogether.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Education
The digital divide in education is not a problem that is going to be solved overnight. It’s a multifaceted issue that requires bridge builders at every level— federal, state, and local programs; nonprofits and businesses alike; and engagement from concerned citizens.
Many companies and nonprofits have responded to the digital divide in education with their own solutions:
- EveryoneOn is nonprofit dedicated to connecting low-income families to affordable internet services, computers, and delivery digital skills trainings.
- Digital Promise is a nonprofit committed to closing the digital learning gap by providing equitable access to technology through various projects.
- Comcast has announced a multiyear effort to roll out more than 1,000 WiFi-connected Lift Zones. Lift Zones will provide free WiFi access at community centers nationwide.
- In collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Meta Mesh Wireless Communities launched Every1online. It provides free, residential internet access in Pittsburgh, PA neighborhoods for 12 months while prioritizing households with school-aged children.
- During the coronavirus pandemic, the wireless industry has helped 2.4 million students by providing free and discounted devices, data plans, and other resources. Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) introduced the Connecting Kids Initiative to simplify the process for school districts to find remote learning hotspots.
If able, schools can deploy one-to-one computing initiatives which provide students with their own device. Alternately, schools can also deploy a shared device program, where there is one device available for a small number of students. While this does not solve the internet access issue, it does provide students with a device.
Equally important in the bridging the digital divide is the response from concerned citizens. What can you do to bridge the digital divide? Contact your local school district, your local community action organization, or local/state representatives. You can also donate resources, volunteer your time, or give financially to nonprofits that are seeking to provide equitable access to technology.
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