Digital divide shrinking for Hispanic-Americans, but more must be done

The digital divide is shrinking for America’s Hispanic population, according to NTIA, but more must be done. The rate of Hispanic-Americans using the Internet increased from 61 percent in 2013 to 72 percent in 2017. While this is an improvement, Hispanic-Americans still trail the non-Hispanic white population Internet use rate of 80 percent. 

While the NTIA data about Internet use is heartening, the digital divide remains an issue of broadband access. In the new global economy, access to the Internet is as essential for individual and community economic prosperity as electricity and roads. The digital divide leaves many populations shut out of essential services. Affordable and ubiquitous access to high-speed Internet will help eliminate the homework gap and ensure that specific communities are not shut out of the virtual job market or access to medical care.

Links

Digital Divide is Shrinking for America’s Hispanic Population (NTIA, Oct. 28, 2019)