The internet has been vital during quarantine. We can see family and friends, some of us are lucky enough to work from home, and kids can take classes. But economic differences severely hinder these activities and place particular strain on students.
Wilson Electronics, a manufacturer of cell phone signal boosters, surveyed 1,000 households (see the full chart below). Over 40 percent feel that connectivity issues are negatively affecting a family member’s education. Students have had trouble with audio or video during online classes or with downloading materials, and some have completely lost connectivity during peak hours. In some instances, they've turned to burning through cellular data plans by using their phones as hotspots.
COVID-19 is widening the already existing digital divide.
COVID-19 is widening the already existing digital divide. Two years ago, Pew Research showed the stark disadvantages that students in lower-income families face compared to their wealthier peers. In households with annual incomes below $30,000, children ages 6 to 17 did not have high-speed connections at home; only 6 percent of children in homes with annual incomes over $75,000 faced the same problem. At the time, the disparity primarily affected the ability for students to complete their homework. But now, when school is completely online, this digital divide is standing in the way of education at large for a significant portion of students.
As this pandemic has caused us to reassess so much about how we conduct our lives, providing broadband internet access for free or low cost to families with children should be a top priority. Until then, families might want to consider purchasing low-cost hotspots or taking advantage of some of the temporary free broadband offers out there.
