The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected inner-city urban children disproportionately and led K-12 educators and administrators to order that many elementary and middle schools remain closed indefinitely. To ensure that children are not deprived of important knowledge, classes and assessments have been switched to an online format as schools aim to remain viable and on schedule. However, the United States now addresses 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 will discuss some key details regarding the digital divide affecting black children as they try to meet the challenge of online classes and homework. 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 to level the playing field. Consider the four monumental points contained here:

1. It has been found that the majority of eighth graders in America rely heavily on the Internet to successfully complete their homework. A study from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2018, was evaluated by the Pew Research Center and revealed that about 58% of students, that is, 6 out of 10 students, have stated that they use the Internet almost daily to help them. with your homework. A scant 6% of those surveyed have stated that they never use the Internet to perform tasks. Needless to say, these trends varied based on the students’ backgrounds, and specifically their type of community and the educational qualifications of their parents. For example, among students who attend schools in the suburbs, about 65% said they use the Internet almost every day to complete their assignments. In contrast, only 44% of city school goers said the same. For students attending schools in cities and rural areas, the figures were 58% and 50%, respectively. Students with parents who have attended and graduated from college were also found to be more likely to use the Internet at home while completing their assignments. It was found that among these students, 62% make use of Internet resources when they encounter a challenge while completing their assignments. 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 have only a high school education or no high school education, the figures drop to 52% and 48%, respectively.

2. Recently, the term “homework gap” is being used to indicate to school goers that they lack adequate resources to complete their school assignments at home. This gap has been found to be more substantial in the case of black, Hispanic, and economically weak families. The Pew Research Center’s analysis of 2015 U.S. Census Bureau data found that approximately 15% of Americans with children who attend school are reported to have no high-speed Internet connectivity in home. Understandably, children from low-income families are less likely to have strong 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, around a third lack good internet connectivity, which is equivalent to 35%, compared to 6% in the country . case of households with incomes greater than $ 75,000 per year. Again, these gaps are more pronounced when these low-income households come 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 school work at home. In a 2018 survey conducted by the Center, it was noted that one in five adolescents (around 17%) revealed that several times they are unable to complete their homework as they do not have computers or a stable internet connection. Blacks and teens from low-income households were found to have cited this reason more often for not completing assignments. To further corroborate this idea, approximately a quarter of black adolescents revealed that they are frequently or occasionally unable to complete their assignments due to a lack of Internet connection or a computer, compared to 13% of adolescents. white adolescents and 17%. of Hispanic teens. As in the previous aspect, adolescents who come from families with incomes below $ 30,000 per year addressed this issue more (24%) than those with a minimum income of $ 75,000 per year (9%). The same survey also reported that approximately one in ten adolescents (12%) frequently or occasionally use public Wi-Fi to complete their schoolwork, as they do not have a stable Internet connection. Low-income and black teens are 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 who come from households with an annual income of less than $ 30,000 per year had to use public Wi-Fi to complete their tasks, only 11% of teens who live in households with an annual income ranging from $ 30,000 to $ 74,999 and 7% of teens from households with annual incomes above $ 75,000 reported the same problem.

4. Among low-income teen households, a quarter do not own a computer. This problem can be observed in each of the four adolescents who come from households that earn less than $ 30,000 a year. Only 4% of households earning more than $ 75,000 per year do not have a computer, according to the 2018 survey. Variations based on race and ethnicity are also observed here. Hispanic teens are less likely not to have a computer at home, and 18% say this is a problem, compared to 9% of white teens and 11% of black teens.

As mentors representing From Boys To Men Network Foundation, Inc., we are requesting your help in purchasing computer equipment to facilitate the e-learning process triggered by the shelter-in-place demands faced by school-age children who they deserve it. . Many of our parents do not have computers, laptops, desktops, etc. necessary. To facilitate this progression, we ask for your support. COVID-19 has devastated the demographic we represent, exacerbated by the fact that technology is almost non-existent in the homes we serve. We want to raise a minimum of $ 50,000 to help more than 30 families in need 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 areas of the United States. As part of our efforts, we conduct programs that deter antisocial behavior among this demographic in communities, families, schools, and other group settings by equipping participants with valuable skills such as conflict resolution, peer mentoring, job readiness and offering them various support services. such as counseling, excursions, medical and dental assistance, etc. Consider making 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 the opportunity for 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-j0GPUxMMyWPeJbi8w8NygZIh5A