Brief Overlooked and Under-Connected: Exploring Disparities in Digital Skill Levels Among Older Youth of Color in the US
Ian Hecker, Amanda Briggs
Display Date
File
File
Download Report
(214.39 KB)

Young people are often overlooked in discussions about digital skills gaps because they are considered “digital natives” who do not require digital skills training. Using 2017 data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies survey, this research highlights a number of disparities in digital skill levels among Americans aged 16-24, including that  many older youth have no or low digital skills and digital skill levels are disproportionally lower for youth of color than white youth. It also describes how philanthropy and the public sector can invest in digital skills training in communities in ways that promote equity, by supporting additional research about what drives digital skills gaps and exploring public-sector interventions such as efforts to make broadband internet and computer access public utilities.

Research Areas Education Children and youth Race and equity Workforce
Tags Employment Workforce development Workplace and industry studies Employment and income data Racial and ethnic disparities Economic well-being Secondary education Workers in low-wage jobs Job training Unemployment and unemployment insurance Youth employment and training Beyond high school: education and training Inequality and mobility Racial equity in education Racial inequities in employment Technology and future of learning and training Youth development Building America’s Workforce
Policy Centers Income and Benefits Policy Center