More than 90,000 LA County children face a home internet gap

Most modern schools now require online registrations, parent portal use and digital homework submissions, making the demand for internet connection mandatory, but in the U.S., about3.2 million children currently live in a home with no internet access.

In Los Angeles County alone, roughly 90,217 (4.4%) children have no internet subscription at home. According to aCompareInternet analysis of the latestCensus data, that share runs above California’s 3.9% statewide rate.

That same analysis also states that the gap is a connection issue, not a device one. Of those 90,217 children, 71,521 live in a home that has a computer but no way to get web access, and

18,696 have no computers at all. For the large majority, the hardware is already there. What is missing is internet services the family can get or actually afford. Educators have been calling this the homework gap for years, according to the CompareInternet analysis. 

A report conducted bythe USC Center for Neighborhood Knowledge showed that in 2020 during the pandemic era, 29% of Hispanic students and 27% of Black students didn’t always have internet access, compared to 20% for white students.

A 2023 analysis by theDigital Immigrant Data Portal demonstrated that even three years later, 43% of California Latino immigrant households continue to lack a high-speed internet connection and/or a computer at home.

In L.A. County, many neighborhoods that lacked internet access or device accessibility were those classified ashigh-poverty neighborhoods, which are predominantly Black and Latino communities. Justin Lindholm of theCanny Vulture emphasized the urgency of the issue, noting how heavily education now relies on digital access. 

“Research starts with a search bar. Applications for college, scholarships and financial aid are almost entirely web-based," he said. A student without a reliable connection at home has to find one somewhere else, a library after it closes, a parking lot, a relative’s home or a parent’s phone on a limited plan.”

Where to find free or low-cost internet

The city of L.A. offers adigital asset map that brings together trusted resources to help Angelenos find free Wi-Fi, computer assistance, digital skills training and affordable devices, all in one place for students and families.

Additionally, L.A. County Hotspot Finder also provides amap-based website that locates publicly available Wi-Fi hotspots, many of which offer free service. Individuals can also call 2-1-1 for additional information about Wi-Fi locations.

More Resources

Spectrum Internet Assist 

Spectrum provides low-cost Internet Services and low-cost computers for people who participate in a designated federal assistance program. Click here.

CollegeBuys 

CollegeBuys is a nonprofit program of the Foundation for California Community Colleges that provides low-cost hardware, software and Internet services to students. Click here.

Comcast Internet

Essentials Comcast provides low-cost Internet Services and low-cost computers for people who meet eligibility criteria. Click here.

Human-I-T 

Human-I-T is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost technology and Internet access to individuals and households with low incomes. Click here.