When a teacher in a small town moved classes online during a severe storm, one student sat on the school steps all night to use the router’s weak signal. She completed her assignment, but she was one of the lucky ones. Across the world, millions cannot even try.
Roughly one-third of the global population remains offline, according to the International Telecommunication Union. Without reliable connectivity and skills, people miss education, civic participation, and fair access to work and services. See the ITU facts and figures here: ITU Facts and Figures.
Why digital access is a justice issue
Access is not just about devices or speed. It shapes who gets to learn, who can find work, and whose voice appears on public platforms. In the United States, Pew Research documented persistent gaps in home broadband and device access that track income, age, and race. Globally, the lack of digital skills excludes rural women, older adults, and marginalized groups from new opportunities.
Who is stepping up
Non-profits and coalitions are turning urgency into action. National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) organizes local leaders to expand affordable access and training. Code.org pushes for equitable computer science education so students from every zip code can learn the skills employers ask for. The Mozilla Foundation’s Internet Health work highlights platform harms and the need for inclusive, human-centered design: Mozilla Foundation.
These organizations show two truths: community-led programs can deliver immediate relief, and policy and platform change are required for long-term justice.
How you can move the needle
Small, concrete steps add up. Consider these actions:
- Donate or volunteer time to a local digital inclusion group such as NDIA.
- Support schools and libraries with devices, hotspot lending, or mentorship—reach out to district tech coordinators or Code.org.
- Advocate for municipal broadband, affordable plans, and platform rules that protect marginalized users; contact local representatives and share evidence from trusted sources like the World Bank on digital development.
"Connectivity without inclusion only amplifies inequality."
That line captures the work ahead: build networks, teach skills, redesign platforms so more people can participate safely and effectively.
There is reason for hope. Cities that invested in community Wi-Fi and training have seen enrollment rise, new small businesses launch, and more residents engage in civic life. When schools, nonprofits, companies, and governments coordinate, access becomes a ladder rather than a barrier.
If you leave this note with one commitment, make it a simple one: reach out. Find a local digital inclusion group, offer time or a small donation, or sign a petition for affordable broadband. Collective action turns that student on the school steps into the first in her family to graduate online—with full access, dignity, and choice.
