Beyond access: New report explores how digital literacy impacts economic, educational, and health outcomes in America
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Nation (CN), a national nonprofit working to close the Digital Divide, just released a new research report titled, "Beyond access: Learning the digital skills to thrive online," which can be found here.
The report describes what the term "digital literacy" means, details its importance, and discusses different approaches to teaching digital skills.
"Connected Nation has trained more than 100,000 digital learners since its founding 24 years ago," said Heather Gate, Executive VP, Digital Inclusion, CN. "That is an incredible amount of data, and what we've found is that Americans must possess basic digital literacy skills and knowledge to navigate their daily lives and ensure successful futures. This is true whether we're focused on job opportunities, education, health outcomes, or even general social structures."
Digital literacy refers to the ability to access, manage, understand, integrate, communicate, elevate, and create information safely and appropriately through digital technologies. A prominent framework breaks it down into five dimensions:
- Information and data literacy
- Communication and collaboration
- Digital content creation
- Online safety
- Problem-solving
"This report examines the impact digital literacy has on children and adults," said Shauna Plath, Research Assistant, CN, and lead author of the report. "But it goes further than just examining the impact of this on Americans. It also looks at what it really takes to help people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds learn the essential digital literacy skills that will serve them and help improve quality of life at all stages."
The report goes on to detail how digital skills are taught, what classes are offered, and real-world examples of CN's programs in action. These efforts, like classes in internet basics, email basics, and internet safety, are expanding this work further—either through CN directly, partnerships, or similarly modeled programs.
Education and training programs currently offered by CN include: Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, which is teen-led and now in 34 states; the Digital Skills Training program, which is CN-team led and offered in person or virtually across the country and provides financial incentives to participating organizations; Digital Works, which offers telework-specific training; and the Drive Your Learning platform, which offers self-guided online classes.
To read the full report, head to this link. To learn more about the digital literacy programs CN offers, visit the pages below:
- Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T
connectednation.org/teensteachtech - Digital Skills Training
- connectednation.org/programs/digital-skills-training
- Digital Works
digitalworksjobs.org - Drive Your Learning
driveyourlearning.org
About Connected Nation: The national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more about the 501 (c)3 at connectednation.org.
SOURCE Connected Nation
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