The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected inner-city urban children disproportionately, prompting K-12 educators and administrators to order many elementary and middle schools to remain closed indefinitely. To ensure that children are not deprived of important knowledge, classes and assessments have been moved to an online format as schools aim to remain viable and on time. However, the United States is now addressing the problem of a group of students who do not have reliable access to the Internet or computers at home, especially those from African-American households.

In this article, we’ll discuss some key details about the digital divide affecting Black children as they try to meet the challenge of online classes and assignments. We will conclude with an appeal that will benefit a non-profit organization, From Boys to Men Network Foundation, Inc., which has been at the forefront since 1995 in leveling the playing field. Consider the four monumental points contained here:

1. It has been found that the majority of eighth graders in the United States rely heavily on the Internet to successfully complete their assignments. A study of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2018, was evaluated by Pew Research Center to reveal that about 58% of students, that is, 6 out of 10 students, have stated that they use the Internet almost daily to assist with your homework. A meager 6% of respondents stated that they never use the Internet for assignment purposes. Needless to say, these trends varied depending on the background of the students and, specifically, the type of community and the educational qualifications of their parents. For example, among students attending schools in the suburbs, about 65% said they use the Internet almost every day to complete their homework. In contrast, only 44% of schoolchildren in the cities said the same. For students attending schools in cities and rural areas, the numbers were 58% and 50%, respectively. Students with parents who attended and graduated from college were also found to be more likely to use the Internet at home while completing homework. It was found that among these students, 62% make use of Internet resources when they encounter a challenge while completing their homework. Interestingly, only 53% of students whose parents have some post-high school education use the Internet at home with similar frequency. For those whose parents only have a high school education or no high school education, the numbers plummet to 52% and 48%, respectively.

2. Recently, the term “homework gap” is being used to indicate school-goers who lack adequate resources to complete their homework at home. This gap has been found to be more substantial for black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged families. Pew Research Center analysis of 2015 US Census Bureau data found that approximately 15% of Americans with children attending school reported that they do not have a high-speed Internet connection at home. home. Understandably, children from low-income families are less likely to have good broadband connections at home. It was found that in households with an annual income of less than $30,000, where children between the ages of 6 and 17 live, about a third lack good internet connectivity, which is equivalent to 35%, compared to 6% in the case of households with more than $75,000 of income per year. Once again, these gaps are more pronounced when these low-income households are from black or Hispanic communities.

3. Some children from low-income households have stated that they do not have access to the resources necessary to complete schoolwork at home. In a 2018 survey conducted by the Center, it was observed that one in five adolescents (about 17%) reveal that she often fails to complete her homework because she does not have computers or a stable Internet connection. Blacks and teens from low-income households were found to most frequently cite this reason for not completing homework. To further substantiate this notion, about a quarter of black teens revealed that they often or sometimes find it impossible to complete their homework due to a lack of internet connection or a computer, compared to 13% of black teens. white teens and 17% of Hispanic teens. Similar to the previous aspect, adolescents who come from families with incomes of less than $30,000 per year addressed this issue more (24%) than those with minimum incomes of $75,000 per year (9%). The same survey also reported that about one in ten teens (12%) frequently or sometimes use public Wi-Fi to complete their schoolwork, as she does not have a stable Internet connection. Black and low-income teens are again more likely to use these measures. While one in five black teens had to succumb to these measures (21%), only 11% of white teens and 9% of Hispanic teens also faced the same problem. While 21% of teens from households with an annual income of less than $30,000 per year had to use public Wi-Fi to complete their homework, only 11% of teens from households with an annual income ranging from $30,000 to $74,999, and 7% of teens from households with more than $75,000 in annual income reported the same problem.
4. Among low-income teen households, a quarter do not own a computer. This problem can be seen in each of the four teens who come from homes earning less than $30,000 per year. Only 4% of households earning more than $75,000 per year do not have a computer, according to the 2018 survey. Variation by race and ethnicity is also seen here. Hispanic teens are less likely to not have a computer at home, with 18% saying this is a problem, compared to 9% of white teens and 11% of black teens.

As mentors representing the From Boys To Men Network Foundation, Inc., we are asking for your help in purchasing computer equipment in order to facilitate the e-learning process brought about by the shelter-in-place demands facing school children. . Many of our parents do not have computers, laptops, desktops, etc. necessary. to facilitate this progress, so we are asking for your support. COVID-19 has devastated the demographics we represent, which has been exacerbated by the fact that technology is almost non-existent in the households we serve. We want to raise a minimum of $50,000 to help more than 30 needy families in our network.

Since 1995, From Boys to Men Network Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been committed to changing the lives of African-American men, particularly in urban America. As part of our efforts, we run programs that deter antisocial behavior among this demographic in communities, families, schools, and other group settings by equipping participants with valuable skills like conflict resolution, peer mentoring, job readiness, and offering them various support services, such as advice, excursions, medical and dental assistance, etc. Please consider a donation to our GoFundme campaign. Your donation of any amount helps us continue the effort to level the playing field and give these children a chance at a better life!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/boys-to-men-network-foundation?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3THPyIg-j0GPUxMMyWPeJbi4Srx-7Ah8QyZ6n6d8YkI80eXNAL5fIrwgQ