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published: june 29, 2021 at 5:15 a.m. | updated: june 29, 2021 at 5:24 a.m.
the bay area is an american success story because of its commitment to education and innovation. but unless policymakers and the technology industry both get serious about addressing america’s growing digital divide, we will turn our back on those principles and deny the next generation the same opportunities we enjoyed.
the covid-19 pandemic highlighted a pre-existing condition that has been around for years — too many americans do not have access to the digital tools that are increasingly necessary to function and succeed. this gap is greatest in low-income and minority communities, which further exacerbates problems like income inequality.
six months ago, the image of two young girls sitting outside of a taco bell in salinas using its wi-fi connection to join their virtual classes and complete their homework went viral. it is heartbreaking to see, and yet the fact is that this struggle is all too common. nearly a quarter of the american population still lacks a broadband internet connection at home, and these households continue to cite financial constraints as one of the largest obstacles. access to the internet is not just about broadband, however. it is about having the right equipment.
while 82% of white adults have a laptop or desktop computer according to pew research center, only 58% of black adults and 57% of hispanic adults report the same. this disparity is even more heartbreaking when you read stories of parents looking for a job who must drive to find a reliable internet connection so they can submit their resume over the phone.
for young people, the impact of this digital gap is astounding. as the father of a teenage boy, i see every day how our schools and children have integrated the latest technologies and applications to teach, learn, create and stay connected at school and at home. it was, quite frankly, the only way our son could learn and continue his education from home.
when schools abruptly shut their doors and moved online last year, millions of american students without high-speed internet access were effectively locked out. california was not immune to this problem. more than one in four of california’s k-12 students and nearly 40% of its low-income students lacked reliable internet access when schools opened online last fall — an embarrassing statistic right in the backyard of silicon valley.
if america’s technology sector is going to be a global leader, we must lead in more than technological advancements. we must lead in creating opportunity for all of our communities. this starts with taking actions to address the digital divide.
fortunately, we are seeing bipartisan movement on this issue in congress. in june, sens. patty murray, d-wash., rob portman, r-ohio, and angus king, i-maine, introduced the digital equity act. the bill would strengthen federal support for state and local programs to improve access to technology.
to promote digital equity, the legislation would create a grant program for states that could be used to fund the creation and implementation of digital equity plans. the bill would also create a separate grant program for organizations, groups and coalitions who are working to advance similar projects.
by design, the legislation is not a ‘top-down’ federal program that creates new bureaucracy. rather it creates support for states, cities, communities and neighborhoods to more closely examine their own challenges and the best ways to address them in rural and urban areas.
the technology giants of silicon valley have a fraught relationship with the government, regarding them as more of an impediment to success rather than a partner. our elected leaders in both parties now look to the bay area and its leaders with a skeptical gaze. however, addressing the digital divide is an opportunity for the public and private sector to work together on a shared problem. policymakers are now looking to support meaningful solutions. the question for the bay area is: will it help provide any?
arvin patel is the chief operating officer of intellectual ventures’ invention investment funds.