Pew Report Finds 90 Percent of Americans Believe Broadband Access Important and Nearly Half of Income Insecure Parents See Impact of Homework Gap

In case you missed it, the Pew Research Center recently released “The Internet and the Pandemic” report. The survey shows overwhelming American agreement around the necessity of broadband internet and highlights the urgency for solutions to support broadband affordability and adoption.

The new report from Pew Research Center found:

• 90 percent of U.S. adults say broadband internet has been essential or important during the pandemic.
• 26 percent of Americans are worried a lot or some about paying their broadband internet bills over the next few months.
• 46 percent of income insecure parents say their children had at least one problem related to the homework gap.
• 26 percent of adults say they usually need someone else to set up a new computer, smartphone or other electronic device for them or show them how to use the device.

The results of the survey show how the pandemic has elevated the importance of an affordable and reliable broadband connection and the need for permanent solutions to support broadband adoption and digital skills.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives can take a positive first step toward bridging the digital divide by swiftly passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The legislation allocates $65 billion for broadband to address deployment, adoption and digital skills. Congress must then keep the momentum going with additional solutions to permanently close the broadband gap.

Read about how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will improve broadband connectivity and digital equity HERE.

Read more about the digital divide and solutions to permanently close the broadband gap HERE.

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