In today's digital age, technology has become an integral part of education. However, as the use of technology in schools increases, so does the digital divide. Specifically, the digital divide is the inequitable access to technology that disproportionately affects marginalized populations, particularly people of color from low-income households.
These disparities are compounded due to socioeconomic barriers and a lack of overall infrastructure. Specifically when it comes to internet access, affordability is the primary barrier preventing students from having equal opportunities for learning. A study by Common Sense Media and the Boston Consulting Group found that nearly nine million students, or about 60% of K-12 students, struggle to afford digital access (2). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to address these socioeconomic barriers and provide discounted broadband services to families in need. Unfortunately, as of April 2024, the ACP was terminated due to a lack of funding from Congress, deepening the digital divide and leaving thousands of families without access to high-speed internet. According to the White House, “In Pennsylvania, 763,742 households – 1 in 7 households in the state – have saved money on their internet bills because of the Affordable Connectivity Program (4).” The loss of this program puts these households at a significant disadvantage in accessing healthcare services, job opportunities, and educational resources.
This issue is particularly concerning in Philadelphia, where over half of the city's neighborhoods fall below the national average for internet-connected households, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (3). This lack of connectivity has significant educational implications. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed that students without internet or computer access are “more than three years' worth of learning behind their classmates with access (2).” This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for reliable internet access to support students' academic progress and overall skill development in an increasingly digital world.
Broadband access is now a necessity, and many households face difficult decisions between essential needs. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted this in a letter to Congress, stating, “ACP households across the country are now facing hard choices about what expenses they have to cut, including food and gas, to maintain their broadband access, with some households doubtful they can afford to keep their broadband service at all (1).” Students will be forced to seek public places such as libraries and fast food restaurants to complete their school assignments. This struggle emphasizes the urgent need for solutions to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to technology for all students, particularly those in marginalized communities.
Author: Ritika Chamlagai
Medical Student, PCOM
References:
Rosenworcel, Jessica. “Federal Communications Commission.” Federal Communications Commission, 2 April 2024, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401562A1.pdf. Accessed 29 July 2024.
Smith, Robert. “Understanding the Digital Divide in Education.” Robert F. Smith, 29 August 2023, https://robertsmith.com/blog/digital-divide-in-education/.
Tai, Tim. “Thousands of Philly students are stuck at home with no computer or internet.” Philadelphia Inquirer, 3 April 2020, https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-students-digital-divide-philadelphia-comcast-20200403.html.
The White House. “Investing in America.” The White House, 01 2024, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Pennsylvania-ACP-Fact-Sheet.pdf.
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