TPRC48: THE RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION, AND INTERNET POL

The digital divide has taken on new urgency in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Americans are asked to stay at home, as schools and places of work ask people to work or study remotely, more attention centers on people without the technology tools that help them live in a “stay at home society.” Amidst all the initiatives to help society cope with the pandemic, efforts to help get more people online have received scrutiny, if not (as of this writing) much funding in government relief packages. At the same time, internet service providers (ISPs) have made pledges to make it easier for low-income households to subscribe to broadband; such initiatives typically offer discounted service plans with lower speed thresholds than are typical in the market.
In recent years, a body of research and a community of practice have emerged that offer guidance on how to narrow access gaps. The purpose of this panel is to:
• Shed data-driven light on the nature of the digital divide, examining issues pertaining to deployment, household technology adoption and use, and geography;
• Discuss research and practices that focus on the impacts of efforts to address the digital divide
• Explore trade-offs associated with initiatives to address the digital divide.
The panel, whose makeup reflects a diversity of views and backgrounds on the topic, will include researchers, academics, and practitioners in the field. The goal will be to gain a common understanding of how to address the digital divide, in addition to potential strengths and pitfalls in approaches under consideration.
participants will engage in a broad discussion on how technology design, governance, and civil engagement can contribute to enhanced resilience.