Digital Divide

Americans with lower incomes are particularly likely to have concerns related to the digital divide and the digital “homework gap.”

A median of 77% across 34 countries surveyed use the internet at least occasionally or own an internet-enabled smartphone.

A majority of Americans are turning to digital means to stay connected and track information about the coronavirus outbreak.

COVID-19 may yet do what years of advocacy have failed to: Make telework a benefit available to more than a relative handful of U.S. workers.

As schools close and classes and assignments shift online, some students do not have reliable access to the internet at home.

A majority of U.S. adults can answer fewer than half the questions correctly on a digital knowledge quiz, and many struggle with certain cybersecurity and privacy questions

A median of 65% across 11 emerging economies say it is the government’s responsibility to ensure equal access to reliable internet service.

Whether in advanced or emerging economies, younger people, those with higher levels of education and those with higher incomes are more likely to be digitally connected.

Some 15% of U.S. households with school-age children do not have a high-speed internet connection at home. Some teens are more likely to face digital hurdles when trying to complete their homework.

Fast, reliable internet service has become broadly essential. But 24% of rural U.S. adults say access to high-speed internet is a major problem in their community.