Advancing Digital Equity among Immigrant-Origin Youth

While access to digital devices, the internet, and digital skills training has been uneven in the U.S. for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic magnified these disparities. Following the sudden shift to remote learning in 2020, many teenagers from low-income households, including immigrant ones, encountered this digital divide and other barriers to virtual learning. Given the important role of technology in education and immigrant families’ integration more broadly, this study identifies promising practices for increasing digital access and literacy among youth ages 15 to 17 who are immigrants themselves or have at least one immigrant parent. The report highlights insights from educators, refugee resettlement agency staff, community leaders, and library and IT professionals working to support immigrant-origin youth during a challenging period. It also recommends steps that federal, state, and local actors can take to advance digital equity.