Student Research Spotlight -The Digital Divide: The Path Towards Digital Inclusion of Latinx Parents

Angelica Gonzalez Almanza (double major in Social Justice and Global Public Health) graduated this May 2023. In her capstone project, she brings together all the knowledge she acquired through her community involvement and Dominican classes, as well as her work experience with Parent Services Project. Angelica’s capstone focuses on the digital divide in Latinx communities and the health effects the lack of digital access (which includes digital literacy) has on the community. Below is the abstract of her senior thesis and a video presentation of her work:

Digital technologies are becoming part of the determinants of health given that it is crucial that people have access to information and technology communication (ICT) to fully participate as a citizen in the aspects of social, political, economical, educational, and cultural life (Baum et al., 2015). The gap between those Americans who use or have access to ICTs and those who do not is referred to as the digital divide (PACEs, 2002). Unfortunately, the pandemic has only increased dependence on technology and exacerbated the digital divide, which perpetuates existing systems of racism and poverty (Early et al., 2021).