Regulating the Digital Divide

As the world moved online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 19 million Americans fell behind. Inequities in access to education, employment, and health care increased drastically as low-income individuals struggled to access affordable broadband and technological devices necessary to participate in an increasingly digital world. Nearly a year into the pandemic, 4 in 10 low-income Americans did not own a laptop or have internet access in their home. In response to the exacerbated need for reliable and affordable internet access, the U.S. Congress in 2020 directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to provide discounted broadband service and funding to purchase portable electronic devices for eligible households. Individuals living on tribal lands, who face even greater barriers to broadband adoption, received larger stipends under the program. The FCC today implements a newer version of this program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Biden Administration further addressed the digital divide in a proposed “Internet for All” initiative, a $45 billion plan intending to bolster broadband infrastructure and access to high-speed internet. In addition, this funding will emphasize the importance of digital literacy training for marginalized communities, including communities of color, older Americans, and those living in rural areas. Despite the federal government’s efforts to bolster investment and close the digital divide, gaps remain in achieving fully equal access to the internet by everyone in the United States. Some scholars propose universal internet access and community networks as potential solutions. Awareness of disparities in broadband access has also prompted some observers to ask whether internet access is now a fundamental human right. In this week’s Saturday Seminar, experts discuss progress made in bridging the digital divide, as well as work that remains to produce more equitable outcomes