Digital Divide

Americans’ understanding of digital topics varies notably depending on the subject. For example, majorities of U.S. adults know what cookies on websites do and can identify a secure password, but far fewer can recognize an example of two-factor authentication.

Test your knowledge of digital topics and terms by taking our nine-question quiz. Then, compare your score with knowledge measured among the American public.

A majority of teens prefer in-person over virtual or hybrid learning. Hispanic and lower-income teens are particularly likely to fear they’ve fallen behind in school due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Here is what our surveys found about the students most likely to lack the home internet connectivity needed to finish schoolwork.

The digital divide between Americans who have a disability and Americans who do not remains for some devices.

Nine-in-ten Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them, many made video calls and 40% used technology in new ways. But while tech was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles.

Rural adults are less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Black and Hispanic Americans remain less likely than White adults to say they own a traditional computer or have high-speed internet at home.

The shares of Americans in each income tier who have home broadband or a smartphone have not significantly changed from 2019 to 2021.

Some 15% of all home broadband users in the U.S. say they have had trouble paying for their high-speed internet service during the pandemic.