Most parents of school-age children are able to send their kids off to school each morning with backpacks, books, and pencils. But for many of them, there's a gap they just can't bridge on their own: the digital divide. Roughly 17 million students in the U.S. either don't have a web-enabled device or lack internet access, making it difficult, if not impossible, to complete online schoolwork.
Leaving children stranded on the wrong side of this chasm puts them at a disadvantage now and could create social strains and professional challenges years down the road. To help parents and students close this gap, AT&T, along with other companies, governments, and municipalities, is expanding access to technology and reducing the cost of technology among underserved communities. 
A gap widened by a pandemic
When the pandemic shut down schools, educators adapted. Online videoconferencing, digital libraries, and other online platforms were implemented to replace the in-person learning experience. But not all kids could log on. Some families can't afford the cost of a laptop or high-speed internet. Others live in areas that don't have a broadband infrastructure. 
According to the National Education Association, Black, Hispanic, and Native American students, as well as those who live in rural areas, are less likely to have reliable internet access. With no internet at home, and with libraries and community centers closed, some students turned to smartphones, but the devices can be difficult to use to complete schoolwork. And even as students return to the classroom, those without devices or broadband access are still at a disadvantage. 
According to new research conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of AT&T, 70% of parents and teachers said their children or students were affected by the homework gap due to a lack of technology. To cope, children use mobile devices (35%) or go to a friend or family member's house to complete assignments (17%). Pew Research echoes these findings, with one-third of parents saying it is at least somewhat likely that their children cannot complete schoolwork because they can't access a computer at home. 
The need for collaboration
The solution to this problem is complex, says Jeff McElfresh, CEO of AT&T Communications. He likens it to a three-legged stool, where all three legs are critical for balance. The first leg is building broadband networks, which includes both wireless and wireline networks, he says. The second is making sure connections are affordable for underserved populations. The third is promoting digital literacy—helping to ensure educators, as well as students, their parents, and their communities, are comfortable using the digital interfaces. The digital divide affects more than just the students who can't do their homework online; it has long-term implications for jobs and the economy, McElfresh says. 
"When you give every individual the same opportunities and tools to learn, grow, and be productive, communities flourish. They have a stronger presence in the digital economy, and that's what we're trying to cultivate as a nation," he adds. 
Addressing this gap takes commitment, collaboration, and a multifaceted strategy. That's why AT&T and others are taking strides to narrow the divide. Over the past three years, AT&T contributed $1 billion in low-cost broadband service and charitable contributions to the country's underserved communities. In April 2021, it announced an additional $2 billion investment to further those objectives over the next three years. And the AT&T programs are designed to address the digital divide from all three sides: accessible networks, affordability, and digital literacy. 
Part of the new $2 billion pledge makes it easier for students to connect to broadband. AT&T is extending discounted plans to schools and is continuing its Access from AT&T program, which offers reduced internet rates for residents who qualify. The company is also participating in the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit program through the Federal Communications Commission, allowing eligible customers to reduce their broadband costs temporarily through discounts. 
This year, AT&T is launching 20 Connected Learning centers in traditionally underserved communities, McElfresh says. The company will provide high-speed fiber and WiFi, and it will ensure that the centers have laptops and tablets for students to use. Additionally, AT&T employee volunteers will be available for mentoring and tutoring, and students can learn virtually from collaborators like Khan Academy. AT&T is also leveraging the creativity from its entertainment unit, WarnerMedia, to develop a digital learning platform with educational content and a curriculum that students can use at school or at home to improve academic success. Narrowing the digital divide means getting parents, families, and communities involved too. 
AT&T works with the Public Library Association to offer digital literacy courses that help parents and families advance their technology skills, so they can continue to grow alongside their children. As technology advances, the digital divide may always exist to some degree. Still, the quality of broadband networks in the U.S., even in the most challenged parts of the country, is something to be proud of, says McElfresh. 
"With that success, let's lean in a little bit harder. Let's solve this problem once and for all, and do it from a position of success and strength."