December 2018

How the online world reflects inequality

A raft of new evidence shows the rise of the internet itself may have boosted inequality, and that how people use internet access may be just as — or more — important than the access itself. Educated users with high incomes derive the most benefit from internet use, a 2016 study in Europe showed. The World Bank issued a 2014 report warning that providing internet access on its own would only deepen inequality within and among countries unless governments ensured competitive markets and provided better education.

Wealth is driving how people get the internet

An Axios/SurveyMonkey poll reveals that income strongly affects how Americans access the internet, and the divide cuts across geography. In both urban and rural areas, exactly half of the lower income population reported having broadband internet at home — the lowest percentage of any group.

The "homework gap": 12 million schoolchildren lack internet

The "homework gap" affects 12 million U.S. school-age kids. By the numbers: