‘Digital divide’ hits rural Black Americans hardest

Children pick up curriculum packets for their classes, made available so students won’t need a laptop to complete work, at a student meal distribution site in Seattle, Washington. African Americans across rural counties in 10 mostly southern states were nearly twice as likely to report not having home Internet access as white Americans in the same region, said a report. — Reuters

LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON: The lack of Internet access in the United States is particularly pronounced in rural, southern areas with higher Black populations, researchers said on Oct 6 amid a battle in Congress over how to close the digital divide.

African Americans across rural counties in 10 mostly southern states were nearly twice as likely to report not having home Internet access as white Americans in the same region, said a report by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.