Tennessee among Top 10 states without home internet access – WBBJ TV

Report on the U.S. Digital Divide and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Digital Divide as a Barrier to Sustainable Development

A recent study conducted by Event Display, utilizing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, reveals that the digital divide remains a significant challenge in the United States. The lack of internet access for nearly 8 million households nationwide directly impedes progress toward several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes the study’s findings, with a particular focus on how internet inequality affects education, economic opportunity, health, and infrastructure development.

Key Findings: State-Level Disparities in Internet Access

The study highlights considerable disparities among states in providing universal internet access, a critical component of modern infrastructure (SDG 9). Tennessee ranks tenth in the nation, with 6.45% of its households completely offline. This digital exclusion creates significant barriers to social and economic inclusion, undermining efforts to reduce inequalities (SDG 10).

• National Scope: Nearly 8 million U.S. households have no internet connection.
• State Spotlight (Tennessee): Ranks 10th highest for disconnected homes at 6.45%.
• Most Affected State (Mississippi): Leads the nation with 10.09% of homes offline.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The persistence of the digital divide has profound consequences for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The inability to get online limits opportunities and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Students without internet access face severe disadvantages in completing schoolwork, accessing online classes, and utilizing digital learning resources, creating an educational equity gap.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Access to the internet is fundamental for modern job searching, application processes, and participation in the digital economy. Being offline is a direct barrier to securing decent work.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The inability to access telehealth services, patient portals, and critical health information online disproportionately affects rural and low-income populations.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The data indicates a failure in developing resilient and inclusive infrastructure. Universal and affordable access to the internet is a specific target (9.c) that is not being met in significant portions of the country.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The divide disproportionately impacts rural and low-income communities, deepening socio-economic inequalities within and among states.

State Rankings: Top 10 States with the Most Disconnected Households

The following states demonstrate the most significant gaps in household internet connectivity, highlighting regions where targeted infrastructure and affordability initiatives are most needed to advance the SDGs.

1. Mississippi: 10.09%
2. West Virginia: 9.81%
3. Arkansas: 8.75%
4. Louisiana: 8.69%
5. New Mexico: 8.22%
6. Alabama: 7.60%
7. Kentucky: 7.04%
8. Pennsylvania: 6.68%
9. Oklahoma: 6.57%
10. Tennessee: 6.45%

Conclusion

The study’s findings underscore that the digital divide is more than a technological issue; it is a fundamental barrier to sustainable development. The lack of internet access prevents citizens from fully participating in education, the economy, and civic life. Addressing this infrastructure gap through targeted investment and policies aimed at improving affordability and accessibility is essential for the United States to achieve its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Detailed Analysis of Relevant SDGs

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The text directly discusses the lack of essential infrastructure—internet connectivity. It states, “broadband expansion has not always kept pace” and that “Many rural and low-income communities still struggle with limited infrastructure.” The entire concept of the “digital divide” is an infrastructure and technology access issue.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article highlights significant disparities in internet access across different states and communities. It points out that the digital gap disproportionately affects “rural and low-income communities,” creating a clear inequality. The ranking of states, with Mississippi at 10.09% offline versus Utah at 2.61%, quantifies this inequality between regions.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article explicitly connects the lack of internet to educational barriers. It notes that without internet access, “Students completing schoolwork” and “streaming classes” face significant obstacles. This directly impacts the quality and accessibility of education in the digital age.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The ability to participate in the modern economy is linked to internet access. The article mentions that being offline hinders “adults applying for jobs online” and “limits opportunities in… work.” This lack of access is a barrier to securing decent employment and achieving economic stability.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article points to the impact of the digital divide on healthcare, stating that it creates obstacles for “accessing healthcare portals” and “accessing telehealth.” This limits individuals’ ability to manage their health and access essential medical services, which is a key component of well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Identification of Specific SDG Targets

• Target 9.c (under SDG 9)

  “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet…” The article’s entire focus is on the lack of internet access and the “affordability” challenges mentioned by the spokesperson (“the cost can be a barrier”). The study’s goal of identifying “where internet access still lags” directly relates to the mission of achieving universal access.

• Target 10.2 (under SDG 10)

  “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.” The article describes how millions of Americans are “left behind” and “completely offline,” which is a form of social and economic exclusion. The digital divide, particularly affecting “low-income communities,” is a direct barrier to inclusion, which this target aims to eliminate.

• Target 4.a (under SDG 4)

  “Build and upgrade education facilities… and provide… effective learning environments for all.” In the 21st century, an “effective learning environment” is not just physical but also digital. The article’s mention of “streaming classes” and “schoolwork” implies that internet access is now a fundamental part of the educational infrastructure required for effective learning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article is based on a quantitative study and provides several direct indicators that can be used to measure progress toward closing the digital divide.

• Percentage of households without internet access

  This is the primary indicator used throughout the article and the study it reports on. It is explicitly measured for every state, with figures like “6.45% of homes lacking any internet access at all” in Tennessee and “10.09% of homes offline” in Mississippi. This directly measures the gap in universal access (Target 9.c).

• Percentage of homes with internet subscriptions

  The provided table includes this data point for each state. It serves as an indicator of both access and affordability, as a subscription implies a household can both access and pay for the service. This helps measure the “affordable access” component of Target 9.c.

• Absolute number of disconnected households

  The article provides a nationwide figure: “nearly 8 million U.S. households still don’t have any internet connection at home.” This absolute number serves as a powerful indicator of the scale of the problem at a national level.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wbbjtv.com