The Digital Divide: What it Means & How States are Implementing Solutions to Close It
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The digital divide is a major challenge that affects millions of Americans and their ability to stay connected with an increasingly digital world. Many aspects of our daily lives are online, including school and work projects, doctor’s appointments, accessing important government services, and connecting with friends and family in other locations.
Accessing these necessities is crucial, however there are a large number of individuals and families that do not own modern devices or do not have a strong and reliable internet connection that they require. Furthermore, the skills sometimes needed to best utilize technology are not achievable for everyone, creating an even bigger barrier.
This blog will cover the digital divide and what it means as well as delve into how certain states are implementing solutions to help close that gap.
What Does Digital Divide Mean?
There is a gap between those who have access to reliable internet on modern devices and those who do not. This is known as the digital divide, and it affects the ability for millions of people to connect with the world around them.
This is not simply about those who do not own the latest smartphones or access to the fastest Wi-Fi network; there are those who lack access to any reliable internet connection due to cost or location, are unable to afford the price of modern technology, or do not have the skills or capabilities to utilize that technology effectively. This creates a barrier to many different opportunities, such as schooling, careers, or simply connecting with other people who live farther away.
The digital divide spreads far and wide, affecting individuals and families in different ways. Rural communities are commonly known for not having broadband access due to sparse populations, which would make the costs of installing it increase substantially. Statistics show that more than 15.7 million Americans cannot access broadband.
For many, the barrier to access exists because of the rising costs of internet connection, causing many homes to have limited devices to share between multiple family members. Those devices themselves can be costly for low-income families.
While many can navigate the internet safely and effectively, that is not the case for everyone. There are a number of people who lack strong digital literacy skills, which is sometimes due to age or minimal training in underserved communities.
Can the Digital Divide be Closed?
It is certainly possible to close the digital divide and bridge the gap between those with full access to the digital world and those that remain unable to experience those benefits. This would require strong coordinated efforts between government bodies as well as other technological professionals and members of the community. It would involve infrastructure funding, access to digital literacy training for a diverse range of individuals, federal programs, and support from private sector companies and non-profit organizations.
A feat this large would take a collaborative effort—combining knowledge and skills from a variety of different organizations to develop solutions that benefit communities in need of that bridge. There are many organizations and governments that are pushing forward to close the digital divide, enabling access and reducing those barriers for a vast amount of families.
State Governments Closing the Digital Divide
Several state governments are implementing solutions to help bridge the digital divide and enable access to broadband and reliable technology. Initiatives such as these are great steps to improving connectivity for millions of individuals and their families, allowing them to benefit from services and opportunities that are available through the digital world.
California
In California, Governor Newsom has announced that the state is turning on the nation’s largest open-access, public broadband network as well as connecting its first rural community—the Bishop Paiute Tribe. California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN), is bringing high-speed, reliable internet to a rural and historically underserved community, enabling access to opportunities in healthcare, education, and more.
Governor Newsom’s Broadband for All Initiative aims to serve millions across the state’s 58 counties. The state of California will allow communities to be able to access broadband internet services for generations, as well as continue to nurture programs for digital literacy so that its residents can utilize the internet effectively and safely.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts has developed a new initiative called the Connected and Online Program, a $28.5 million initiative aimed at closing the digital divide in underserved communities. This program will supply 26,368 laptops, tablets, and desktop computers to more than 200 organizations statewide, enabling nonprofits, hospitals, libraries, and community organizations to be able to access digital resources and opportunities reliably.
This program will also provide more than 20,000 pieces of supporting equipment, including monitors, assistive technology, and remote patient monitoring tools, which will be deployed in public spaces, such as schools and learning centers. Efforts like these are a huge step in closing the digital divide and providing necessary opportunities for many residents in Gateway Cities and rural communities.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Information Technology and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative are involved in a new deal that focuses on a “middle-mile” fiber-optic network and gaining access for rural and other underserved communities. The state will pay $250,000 to gain exclusive access to about 26 miles of that network in order to enable more residents to be able to utilize high-speed internet.
The network passes 17 state-owned towers, 15 Maryland Department of Transportation intelligent transportation system devices, 473 unserved and underserved homes and businesses and 48 community anchor institutions. This investment into Maryland’s future ensures that an increasing number of families and businesses have access to the resources and services that they need in order to thrive.
The digital divide is a culmination of several barriers to full digital access for many across the nation, especially in underserved communities. Having external support allows different regions to connect and build an even larger network of communities that band together to share resources and knowledge and enable each other to succeed. In bridging the digital divide, more individuals and businesses can access necessary technology solutions and online services that are essential to growth and connection.
“It’s not just about learning. It’s about what learning creates.”
– Aaron Skonnard, Businessman & Author
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