In an increasingly interconnected world, reliable high-speed internet is essential for connecting people and places and promoting advancements in education, health, housing, and economic prosperity. However, the digital divide—the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not—threatens to leave some individuals and communities out. Our research looks at evidence-based strategies for increasing access to, adoption of, and use of digital communication technologies for all individuals and communities in the United States. We present a road map and framework for expanding digital opportunity to all, which we define as ensuring that everyone can effectively use digital technology to improve their lives, including having the digital connections, affordable and appropriate devices, and skills to navigate the digital world safely and effectively.

Why This Matters

As technology advances, digital participation is increasingly necessary for people to access essential services; seek, secure, and retain employment; meet basic needs; engage in lifelong learning; and participate in cultural and civic life. The evidence shows some people and communities are more affected by the digital divide than others. Populations that would benefit from investments in and resources to expand digital opportunity and inclusion include people of color, tribal communities, people with lower incomes, women, people living in rural areas, older adults, justice-impacted populations, many people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrant and refugee populations. Policymakers, internet service providers, advocates, and those who provide critical training, services, and funding can leverage this report’s framework to narrow the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not.

What We Found

From our research, we developed evidence-based strategies to strengthen pathways toward greater digital inclusion. Our recommendations include the following:

• Target place-based subsidies to narrow the infrastructure gap and expand in-home connections.
• Support individual connectivity through subscription subsidies, low-cost or free devices, and free public Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots for people who struggle to connect to in-home broadband infrastructure or are housing insecure.
• Protect digital privacy and strengthen civil rights protections and enforcement online.
• Provide clear digital training and navigation, as well as properly equip and support those who train others in these skills.
• Make digital platforms, devices, and supports easy to use, relevant, and accessible for all, regardless of income, race and ethnicity, social and cultural background, language, and ability.
• Issue quality devices and support troubleshooting and maintenance for device users.

The report ends with a learning agenda to drive future research, including a series of specific opportunities and potential research questions:

• Support the development of more research and evidence around solutions to the digital divide.
• Conduct research that is more inclusive of marginalized populations.
• Fill important knowledge gaps related to what it takes to help people get and stay connected to high-speed internet.
• Focus on outcomes for individual, family, and societal thriving.

How We Did It

To synthesize this research and identify areas where the evidence is strong and where more research is needed, we reviewed the current literature on the digital divide and the impacts and benefits of expanding digital opportunity and inclusion.

From this foundation, we developed an actionable, policy-relevant framework and road map centered around five pillars of digital inclusion. We use these pillars to examine who is adversely affected by persisting digital divides and what emerging solutions—including policies, programs, and practices—promote digital opportunity and inclusion. The five pillars fall within three categories of inclusion: foundational inclusion, enhanced inclusion, and full inclusion.

Foundational inclusion

• Develop infrastructure: access, speed, and reliability of physical infrastructure
• Get connected: adoption of available and affordable internet services and devices

Enhanced inclusion

• Learn skills: digital literacy, basic skills, and advanced certifications to exercise digital autonomy
• Navigate safely: privacy and security to control and protect personal information online

Full inclusion

• Use effectively: inclusive devices, applications, and human and technical supports to empower self-determined use and achieve goals

We also developed three related case summaries reviewing the evidence on the benefits of expanded digital opportunity and inclusion for economic mobility, health and healthcare, and rural and tribal communities. These case summaries are linked to below.