California’s Digital Divide Closing but New ‘Under­Connected’ Class Emerges

“Our efforts are to get everybody online to minimize the inequalities in our society and economy,” said Sunne Wright McPeak, president of California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) which sponsored the study. “Internet for all now is a 21st century civil right.” Thirty-four percent of those without broadband at home cited the expense. They also acknowledged they felt disadvantaged in developing new career skills or taking classes, according to the poll, which surveyed more than 1,600 adults in six different languages. “There is a real desire by lower income people to get workforce skills,” said McPeak. “They have expressed to us in focus group after focus group that they know it’s important for the future of their kids but for themselves as well.”