Despite gains in internet access across the U.S., digital divides persist among certain communities of color

The new report shows that over 13 million new internet users came out of the U.S. However, Hispanics still see challenges in accessing these services. (Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

As society becomes increasingly more technology-dependent, experts argue that high-speed internet should be present in all homes. However, this hardly the case. Instead, digital divides are continuing to permeate the country with minorities being the ones primarily affected, a new report by the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI) shows.

The annual report comes from a survey conducted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and it shows that over 13 million new internet users came out of the U.S. within two years, from 2021 to 2023. This number, the research argues, shows the importance of internet access across the country.