Lai J, Widmar NO. Revisiting the Digital Divide in the COVID-19 Era.
Appl Econ Perspect Policy 2021;
43:458-464. [PMID:
33230409 PMCID:
PMC7675734 DOI:
10.1002/aepp.13104]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The digital divide limits opportunities for those without ready access to Internet. Movement online of essential activities during COVID-19 took inadequate Internet service from inconvenient to emergency/crisis for many households. A negative correlation between rurality and Internet speed was found at the county level, highlighting the struggle for rural areas. Schools tackle challenges of providing equitable educational access by attempting to provide access for students, while even households with service available struggle to maintain sufficient speeds and/or can afford it. Essential activities moved online, yet sufficient Internet is an essential public service that remains unattainable for many US households.
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