For years, the “digital divide” has been defined by who does and doesn’t have internet access. But new research shows that simply being online isn’t enough. True digital equity means having reliable devices, quality connections, and the skills to use them effectively.
A recent study by Amy L. Gonzales and Ceciley (Xinyi) Zhang, published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (May 2025), challenges the idea that broadband access alone can close the digital divide. Drawing on national survey data, the researchers found that while home internet access, computers, and smartphones all improve how people use the web for essential tasks — such as job searches, healthcare management, and accessing government services — computers had the strongest link to these life-enhancing activities.
Even more revealing: device quality made a measurable difference. People with high-functioning computers or smartphones were far more likely to engage in beneficial online activities than those with outdated or unreliable equipment. In other words, a slow or broken laptop can be just as limiting as no internet at all.
These findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach to digital inclusion — one that prioritizes access to quality computers and ongoing device maintenance, not just broadband expansion.
Highlights they mention:
Read more about the research and what it means for closing the digital divide in the full article Oxford Academic
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