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New research conducted by Michigan State University has revealed a widening gap in rural internet access for school-aged children. The study highlights that this gap emerged after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the peak of remote instruction in the 2020-2021 academic year, researchers observed a 16% increase in rural internet access. This increase was attributed to the availability of COVID-era funding that enabled schools to acquire Wi-Fi hotspots for students to use at home.

However, with the resumption of in-person instruction, researchers have noticed a reversal in this trend. This academic year alone has witnessed a 2.4% decrease in internet access among rural students.

Lead author of the study, Keith Hampton, suggests that providing solutions such as hotspots to students who lack access or are losing access could help mitigate the negative impacts of this reversal. The immediate consequences of limited internet access include decreased academic performance and a potential waning of interest in post-secondary education or careers in STEM fields.

Gabriel Hales, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of fostering interest in STEM due to the growing number of STEM jobs, higher income potential in STEM careers, and the potential economic benefits for rural areas involved in STEM-related industries.

Although longer-term solutions such as changes in broadband policy or infrastructure are needed, they require more time to implement. Hampton emphasizes the need for immediate measures to bridge the rural home internet divide for students and prevent them from experiencing significant disadvantages due to limited access.

The study underscores the urgency of addressing the issue to ensure that students in rural areas have equal opportunities for educational success and future career prospects.

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