Why aren’t people online? Can’t anyone get connected who really wants to be?

People are not online for many reasons including not having access to the internet (this means they can’t get internet at home) and thinking the internet is not relevant for them (I don’t need or want the internet). However, the number one reason that people do not have internet in their home is cost. According to research from Pew Research Center and from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Rutgers University, the overwhelming and prime barrier to families getting online is cost. While it is important to deal with other barriers like lack of awareness or cumbersome sign-up processes, we will never close the digital divide in the United States unless there are affordable quality at-home internet options for everyone in this country. It is why EveryoneOn has worked so hard with our partners in the internet service provider space on deploying affordably priced internet service offerings.

Why do people need to be online at home? Isn’t a smart phone enough?

Smartphones spread the power of the Internet to low-income people, but the mobile phone actually prohibits these smartphone-dependent users from harnessing the full power of connectivity. It is difficult to write a resume, fill out job applications, or complete school work effectively on a smartphone.

In short, internet capability, data levels, computer and digital literacy skills, and screen size are still critical to realizing the promise of technology for evening playing fields and opportunity. Smartphones can be a stepping stone or minimum best solution for the chronically unconnected, but they are not a comprehensive solution in and of itself.

What is EveryoneOn? What do you do?

EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that creates social and economic opportunity by connecting everyone to the internet. We work to connect people living in the United States to low-cost home internet service, affordable computers and tablets, and digital literacy training.

How many people are not connected to the internet at home? Who are they? Isn’t this mainly a rural problem?

Approximately 62 million people in the United States don’t use (adopt) the Internet at home, according to the American Community Survey. This means they may or may not have the ability to access to the internet, but they don’t use/adopt the internet. This means they may or may not have the ability to access to the internet, but they don’t use/adopt the Internet. The divide cuts across all demographics and geographies, but has a strong hold amongst minority and low-income populations.