For kids whose families can’t afford internet access at home, it can be difficult to do homework, stay connected with friends, browse information—or keep up in today’s digital age.
By expanding access to free Wi-Fi hotspots that Los Angeles Unified School District students can take home, local and federal officials said they hope to reduce internet disparities — which they called the “digital divide.”
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Jessica Rosenworcel met with parents at Union Avenue Elementary in Westlake on Tuesday, Aug. 13, and announced a recent change to the FCC’s federal “E-rate” program, which can now be used to fund WiFi hotspots for students to take home.
“This is a true investment in the future,” Carvalho said. “This benefits the local economy and certainly benefits children. This decision is a critically important decision.”
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The E-rate program provides funding for schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications and information services, including internet access. But until the FCC voted in July, funds from this program could not be used to subsidize technology services for off-campus use.
“I think it is within our power in the United States to close the gap,” Rosenworcel said. “We can make sure every child has the internet access they need to succeed.”
Now that the FCC has expanded its E-rate program, LAUSD is expecting to provide about 160,000 WiFi hotspots to families, up from the 80,000 that the district already offers through other funds, according to district officials.
Union Avenue Elementary fifth-grader Damian Miguel spoke, with some encouragement from Carvalho, about his use of technology for school.
“I use the internet for help with homework, to study, to research,” Miguel said. “(By having devices) for each of us, I don’t have to fight over all that with my brother.”
Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Panorama City, praised the funding and pointed to the many ways students use the internet, saying “they’re not just playing video games.”
Carvalho pointed to the struggles faced by students without access to the internet at home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools first moved to distance learning in March 2020, many families had no way of staying connected to school.
“We learned from the pandemic that this digital disconnect can put students at a terrible educational disadvantage, and if not cured, that disadvantage can become a lifelong economic deficit,” Carvalho said.
Maria Espinosa, a Union Avenue Elementary School parent, said the expanded hotspots will be a major help to families.
“Having the internet is very important for my kids and for all kids,” Espinosa said in Spanish. “They use it for (schoolwork). It’s not a privilege, it’s a necessity.”
Originally Published:
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
