![\"Large-Screen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Digitunity-cover.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSince 2013, the Census Bureau has asked three questions in the American Community Survey related to computer and internet use, focused on the type of computing device used (if any), if the household is connected to the internet, and via what type of internet connection.\u00a0One in seven households either\u00a0have no computer at all\u00a0or\u00a0rely only on a smartphone\u00a0for internet access.\u00a0While smartphones provide convenient internet access and can be more portable and affordable than computers, they lack the functionality of large-screen computers. Access to large-screen computers\u00a0(think laptops, desktops, and tablets) ensures continuous, on-demand access that a borrowed, shared, or public device doesn\u2019t allow. A large-screen computer\u00a0enables:<\/p>\n
Access to learning opportunities and earning educational and workforce credentials.
\nExpanded options for employment, including remote work.
\nAchieving upward economic mobility and long-term financial stability.
\nParticipating in community decisions and having their voices heard.
\nIncreased connection by being part of their community and reducing social isolation.
\nImproved physical and mental health through access to healthcare and health information.
\nIncreased personal agency by finding and using information to make informed decisions about their lives.<\/p>\n
While smartphones provide convenient internet access, they cannot fully replace large-screen computers. Research demonstrates that large-screen computer ownership is critical for unlocking beneficial internet activities.<\/p>\n
Key Benefits of Large-Screen Computer Ownership<\/p>\n
Education: Students with home computer access are 4-6% more likely to graduate high school and score 3-5% higher on tests
\nEmployment: Computer owners earn $2,800-$6,800 more annually and have 7-12% higher weekly employment rates
\nRemote Work: 37% of U.S. jobs can be performed remotely, accounting for 46% of all wages, but these require computer access
\nHealthcare: Essential for telehealth appointments, accessing electronic health records, and managing chronic conditions
\nDigital Skills: Computer ownership leads to substantially higher basic, medium, and advanced computer skills
\nCollege Enrollment: Computer owners have 12-16% higher college enrollment rates<\/p>\n
The Smartphone-Only Limitation<\/p>\n
Smartphone-only users experience a limited and unequal internet experience. They face challenges with:<\/p>\n
Editing documents and completing online forms
\nParticipating in video conferences (Zoom calls)
\nAccessing financial management software
\nDeveloping comprehensive digital literacy skills
\nManaging complex online tasks required for education and employment<\/p>\n
The Scale of the Problem<\/p>\n
A significant transformation has occurred in how American households access technology between 2016 and 2023:<\/p>\n
Total households without large-screen devices decreased 14.79% (from ~21.2 million\u00a0to ~18 million).
\nHouseholds with no computer at all dropped dramatically from 12.74 million\u00a0to 5.06 million.
\nSmartphone-only households increased nearly 54 percent, adding over 4.5 million households.<\/p>\n
This represents a shift from “no digital access” to “limited digital access”\u2014a positive trend that still leaves millions without the tools needed for full digital participation.<\/p>\n
Nationally, 1 in 7 American households, or approximately 13.75% of U.S. households\u2014representing 18,053,299 households\u2014either lack a computer at home or rely solely on a smartphone for internet access.\u00a0According to the Census Bureau analysis, this translates to 33,268,817 residents who are without access to any type of computing device or who rely exclusively on a smartphone to go online.<\/p>\n
A household in Mississippi is three times more likely to lack a large-screen computer than a household in Utah.<\/p>\n
Mississippi reported the highest need for computers, with 24.19% or 1 in 4 households without a large-screen computer. Similarly, high rates were seen in West Virginia (22.46%), Louisiana (21.97%), and Arkansas (21.92%). In Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, nearly 1 in 5 households faced similar challenges.<\/p>\n
Conversely, in 2023, states with the lowest rates of households without large-screen computers include Utah (8.22%), Colorado (8.69%), New Hampshire (9.12%), Washington (9.21%), and Idaho (9.95%).\u00a0Puerto Rico experienced the most significant digital divide, with nearly 40 percent\u00a0of households\u2014over half a million households\u2014lacking any computer or relying solely on a smartphone for internet connectivity<\/p>\n
Who Is Most Affected by the Device Divide? A\u00a0Demographic Analysis<\/p>\n
National averages for device ownership mask differences across various demographic groups. For example, there are wide variations in no computer and smartphone-only access across age categories, racial groups, levels of educational attainment, and employment status.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Age<\/p>\n
Older adults (65+) face the greatest challenges:1<\/p>\n
7.2% lack any type of computing device (5x higher than adults 18-64)
\n10.3% are smartphone-dependent
\nAccess drops significantly after age 75, and even further after age 81
\nHowever, this represents dramatic improvement: in 2016, 20.2% of elderly residents lacked any computer<\/p>\n
Race and Ethnicity<\/p>\n
Lack of Any Computer (2023):<\/p>\n
American Indian\/Alaska Native: 3.8%
\nAfrican American: 3.3%
\nNative Hawaiian\/Pacific Islander: 3.1%
\nWhite: 2.5%
\nAsian: 1.1%<\/p>\n
Smartphone-Only Access (2023):<\/p>\n
“Other race”: 22.4%
\nAmerican Indian\/Alaska Native: 13.5%
\nHispanic\/Latino: 12.5%
\nAfrican American: 11.4%
\nWhite: 6.1%
\nAsian: 4.4%<\/p>\n
Educational Attainment<\/p>\n
Education level strongly correlates with computer ownership.<\/p>\n
People without a high school diploma are 10 times more likely to lack a computer than those with a bachelor’s degree.<\/p>\n
Individuals 25+ Without Any Computer:<\/p>\n
Less than high school: 8.6%
\nHigh school\/some college\/associate’s: 3.4%
\nBachelor’s degree or higher: 0.9%<\/p>\n
Smartphone-Only Access:<\/p>\n
Less than high school: 20.5%
\nHigh school\/some college\/associate’s: 10.2%
\nBachelor’s degree or higher: 2.4%<\/p>\n
Employment Status<\/p>\n
Labor force participation significantly impacts computer access.<\/p>\n
Individuals 16+ Without Any Computer:<\/p>\n
Not in labor force: 5.6%
\nUnemployed: 1.7%
\nEmployed: 1.2%<\/p>\n
Those not in the labor force (students, homemakers, retired workers, etc.) are over 4.5 times more likely to lack computer access compared to employed individuals.<\/p>\n
The Economics of Computer Access:\u00a0Income and Poverty as Primary Drivers<\/p>\n
Statistical analysis reveals strong correlations between economic factors and computer ownership.<\/p>\n
Median Household Income:<\/p>\n
Strong negative correlation with a lack of large-screen computers
\nFor every $10,000 increase in median household income, households without large-screen devices decrease by 1.42%<\/p>\n
Poverty Rates:<\/p>\n
Very strong positive correlation with lack of computer access
\nFor every 1% increase in poverty rates, households without large-screen computers increase by approximately 1%<\/p>\n
When controlling for multiple variables, the research finds:<\/p>\n
Households without any computer are more likely to be in\u00a0poverty, aged 65+, and are not in the labor force<\/p>\n
For smartphone-only households:<\/p>\n
Median household income is the most influential variable
\nAs income rises, smartphone-only access decreases
\nNo other demographic factors show strong independent effects<\/p>\n
This analysis demonstrates that\u00a0device access is fundamentally an economic issue, with income and poverty being the primary determinants of who has access to large-screen computers.<\/p>\n
Is\u00a0Universal Computer Ownership Possible?<\/p>\n
Digitunity has developed a systems-level approach to address the persistent barriers that prevent computer ownership and offers the following recommendations.<\/p>\n
At the National Level:<\/p>\n
Cultivate and share knowledge about effective strategies
\nEnact policies prioritizing computer ownership as essential infrastructure
\nIntegrate healthcare, education, and workforce development sectors
\nMobilize large-scale financial and in-kind resources
\nDocument and share learnings from local initiatives<\/p>\n
At the Local Level:<\/p>\n
Identify existing assets and resource gaps
\nMobilize local financial and in-kind resources
\nPrepare and make computers readily available
\nPromote alignment among community stakeholders
\nContinuously learn and incorporate residents’ lived experiences<\/p>\n
Legislative efforts should prioritize:<\/p>\n
Older adults (65+): Programs that equip elderly individuals with devices and digital skills.
\nRacial and ethnic minorities: Targeted interventions for communities with the highest gaps.
\nLow educational attainment: Focus on individuals without high school diplomas.
\nNot in labor force: Support for students, homemakers, and job seekers.<\/p>\n
Address Affordability<\/p>\n
Federal and state programs offering free or low-cost computers to eligible individuals.
\nParticular focus on households below or at the poverty line.
\nCorporate device donation programs aligned with community needs.
\nTechnology refurbishment and reuse programs supporting a circular economy.<\/p>\n
State and Local Action<\/p>\n
Use Census data to identify communities with the highest need.
\nDesign policies addressing community technology needs through targeted resource allocation.
\nIncentivize private sector technology donations.
\nCoordinate across sectors (healthcare, education, workforce development).<\/p>\n
Future Research Needs<\/p>\n
Deeper data analysis: Utilize Current Population Survey (CPS) Computer and Internet Use Supplement
\nRural vs. urban gaps: Explore geographic disparities in more detail
\nQuality and functionality: Study device quality, software requirements, and digital literacy training needs
\nCausal relationships: Conduct randomized controlled trials to establish concrete benefits of computer ownership
\nSpecial populations: Examine needs of people with disabilities, homeless individuals, and migrant workers<\/p>\n
The Digital Divide is About Access to the Right Tools<\/p>\n
The digital divide in America is not just about internet connectivity\u2014it’s fundamentally about access to the right tools. Between 2016 and 2023, millions of households gained access to computing devices, demonstrating that progress is possible. Achieving universal computer ownership requires:<\/p>\n
Sustained political will and policy support
\nEconomic interventions targeting affordability
\nCoordinated ecosystems bringing together diverse stakeholders
\nTargeted programs for highest-need populations
\nLong-term commitment beyond individual funding cycles<\/p>\n
The stakes are high: without large-screen computers, millions of Americans cannot fully access education, earn competitive wages, manage their health, or participate in their communities. Closing this divide is not just a matter of equity\u2014it’s an economic and social imperative for the nation’s future.<\/p>\n