The Digital Divide Impacting Miami Families and What You Can Do to Help

Thank you to our partners Comcast for sponsoring this post and for serving families in Miami.

From toddlers to teens, most everyone relies on the internet. You may find yourself accessing YouTube videos, Google, and social media multiple times a day. It’s safe to say that the majority of us are fully immersed in technology and using it to our advantage. 

What about the families that don’t have internet access at home? In-home internet access creates great opportunities for many families. However, those on the other side of the “digital divide” without access are at a severe disadvantage. 

The Digital Divide

Without internet access at home you suddenly realize that your high school student wouldn’t be able to complete a research presentation. The absence of in-home internet means less opportunity to gain information quickly. We utilize the internet freely forgetting that many families in our community are without access to this valuable resource. 

What Can We Do?

It’s clear that the digital divide is a problem. What can moms right here in Miami do to help close that gap and level the playing field? Understanding that this issue exists in our communities is the first step. In addition, we can spread the word about Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. 

Advocating for all kids is second-nature for parents. There are services to help families who lack internet access. These services are even more readily available now with Comcast’s latest announcement! 

On August 6th we joined Comcast along with Amigos for Kids and CODeLLA at the Internet Essentials digital literacy rally at Jose Marti Park. They shared some exciting news: 

Comcast expanded eligibility for the Internet Essentials program to ALL low-income families in their service area!

What exactly does that mean? This giant expansion will now help to provide internet access for an additional 360,000 people across Florida! 

To be eligible to apply for the program, low-income applicants simply need to show they are participating in one of more than a dozen different federal assistance programs. These include Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  A full list of these programs can be found at www.internetessentials.com.  

Digital Literacy Rally 

When Miami Moms Blog joined this rally, we knew that Internet Essentials is a great cause worth supporting. However, we did not expect the amazing surprise that Comcast had in store for the 100+ students who were there.

Every child or teen attending the rally received a brand-new laptop plus 6 months of free Internet Essentials service! 

Watch the video below to see more from the Digital Literacy Rally:

Miami Moms Blog Contributor, Elyssa Bloom, sat down with Senior Executive Vice President of Comcast and Chief Diversity Officer of NBCUniversal, David L. Cohen. Mr. Cohen delivered the exciting announcement to a crowded room of ecstatic students. He presented the students with laptops and the encouragement to pursue their dreams. Watch the interview to learn more about how Comcast is closing the digital divide in Miami. 

You can find out more information, check your eligibility, and apply at www.internetessentials.com.