The Issue

Device ownership is the gateway to opportunity.

Access to technology is more than a convenience—it’s a critical tool for success in education, work, healthcare, and community participation. Yet, millions of households remain without computers, creating barriers to opportunity. Ensuring device ownership for everyone is a key step toward enabling a more connected and inclusive society.

What is Needed?

  • Reliable computers
  • Affordable internet access
  • Digital literacy training
  • Accessible technical support
  • Device repair and upkeep

Who is Most Affected?

  • Students
  • Older adults
  • Veterans
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Low income households

Digital gaps are widespread, impacting communities across the country. Closing these gaps requires an understanding of local needs. Explore the challenges and opportunities using our Interactive Heat Map, which provides insights into disparities at the national, state, and county levels.

How to Use the Map:

  • Choose a Metric: Select “No Computer” or other aspects of device ownership in the drop-down menu.
  • State and County Details: Click on a region for household and demographic insights.
  • Quick Snapshots: Hover over regions to view trends.
  • Reset View: Use the back arrow in the top-right corner at any time.

 

This tool equips communities, advocates, and decision-makers with actionable data to drive change.

Digitunity helps more people own computers by reshaping and strengthening the systems that make it possible.

Systems Level Approach

Learn how we work at the systems level to expand computer ownership.

Give Today

Support this important work by donating computers or making a financial contribution.

National Network

A growing national network of community organizations are working together to expand device ownership for everyone.

Three Key Issues

The digital divide is caused by a number of interwoven, systemic issues. While Digitunity’s work centers on all aspects of device ownership, access to robust and affordable internet and having the skills to use a computer productively are also essential.

Computers

Everyone needs a computer with up-to-date functionality and support.

1 <span>in</span> 3
1 in 3
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African Americans and Hispanics1 don’t have access to computers in their homes.2 1 14 million and 17 million, respectively2 American Community Survey, 2019
56.2 MILLION
56.2 MILLION
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new computers were sold in the U.S. in 2019*. What happened to the computers they replaced? There are enough computers for everyone in America, let’s get them to those who need them.* Statista
41%
41%
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of lower-income adults lack a desktop or laptop computer. (Pew Research, 2021)
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Internet

Millions of people do not have access to the internet due to affordability or lack of physical connectivity.

21.2 MILLION
21.2 MILLION
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people in the US lack access to a high-speed connection to the internet, 16.8 million of which live in rural communities -- roughly the population of the state of New York*. Internet access is just as critical as plumbing or electricity and solutions must be found. * 2019 Federal Communications Commission
Broadband Deployment Report
27% <span>of older adults</span>
27% of older adults
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18% of offline households
18% of offline households
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cite the expense of home internet service as the main reason for not being online (NTIA 2021)
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Digital Literacy

Everyone needs to know how to use a computer safely, and perform common tasks such as sending email, using websites, and utilizing common applications like spreadsheets and word processing.

52 MILLION
52 MILLION
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adults are not digitally literate, which was about 16 percent of U.S. population in 2019.** U.S. Dept. of Education
74%
74%
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of U.S. adults use a computer at work and 81% of U.S. adults use a computer in everyday life.** U.S. Dept. of Education
1 in 4
1 in 4
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People in the U.S. lack digital skills for telemedicine (NEJM Catalyst, 2020)
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How You Can Help

Together, we can solve this problem.

Financial Donations

Choose to make a difference in the effort to bridge the digital divide.

Computer Donations

Help get computers to those who need them.

Corporate Support

Engage your business and your team in this critical work.

News & Resources

Laptop computer with a hand holding a Giving Tuesday logo heart.
December 2, 2024

Help End the Digital Divide This Giving Tuesday

Help End the Digital Divide This Giving Tuesday The “digital divide” is deep. Currently, 36 million people in the United States don’t have a computer, limiting their access to...
A person with smiles in front of a grassy background.
November 3, 2024

Rebecca Kelley Joins Digitunity as Program Specialist

NORTH CONWAY, NH –  November 4, 2024  Digitunity proudly announces the addition of Rebecca Kelley as Program Specialist. Hailing from Zachary, Louisiana, and with extensive experience in digital inclusion...
A person with long brown hair smiles in front of a wood-paneled background.
November 3, 2024

Digitunity Welcomes Teodora Mihaylova as its New Project Manager

NORTH CONWAY, NH –  November 4, 2024 Digitunity is excited to welcome Teodora Mihaylova based in East Rutherford, New Jersey as its new Project Manager, bringing her expertise and...
A close-up of a person using tools to repair an electronic circuit board with various components
June 7, 2024

Refurbished Computers: Debunking 5 Common Myths and Highlighting Benefits

Digital technology has become increasingly important in our digital age. However, many people still face significant obstacles when obtaining the devices they need. Digitunity has committed nearly four decades...
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