The HOPE Digital Skills program at Esperanza College partnered with an external call center and conducted two community surveys to better understand digital literacy, computer access, and internet connectivity in several Philadelphia neighborhoods. During the first round of community surveys, which took place from November 27 to December 9, 2023, 46,464 calls were made, yielding 482 survey responses. The second round of community surveys took place between May 27 to June 8, 2024, where we made 27,408 calls, generating 1,134 responses. You may have gotten a call from Esperanza for these surveys! We thank you for your participation and are excited to share some of the results from our data analysis.
The surveys revealed that 87% of survey respondents reported having reliable internet access at home, with smartphone use being the most popular method for accessing the internet. Despite this, many households lack access to a desktop computer. Nearly 50% of respondents across key zip codes (19140, 19133, and 19124) reported not owning a computer at home, and a significant portion relied solely on mobile devices for internet use.
For those who do not have reliable internet at home, the primary barrier was cost;42% of respondents indicated that affordability is the main issue. Others cited relying on public Wi-Fi or visiting relatives to access the internet. This highlights the ongoing barriers to ensuring equitable internet access for residents in Hunting Park and other surrounding neighborhoods.
According to the US Census, half of the households in the 19140-zip code earned an annual income of $30,946 between 2018-2022, while in the 19124 zip code, the annual income was $44,683. Based on the surveys, computer access was lower among residents in the lower-income areas surveyed, with 50.61% of respondents in the 19140 zip code responding that they do not have a desktop or laptop at home, compared to 61.33% of residents in the slightly higher income 19124 zip code. This
Additionally, survey respondents expressed a desire to improve their digital skills. 42% of participants wished they could do more with computers, citing a lack of knowledge and financial resources as barriers to digital literacy. These findings underscore the need for continued and expanded programs/services to bridge the digital divide in our community and increase access to both digital hardware and educational resources about digital skills to increase digital literacy.
The learnings from the community survey by Esperanza underscore the ongoing digital divide in Hunting Park and other neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. While internet access is relatively common, the lack of desktop computer access and limited digital skills are preventing many from fully engaging with the opportunities that the internet provides. The results provide support for targeted interventions, such as the Hope Digital Skills program, that provide affordable computers and accessible digital literacy education, are attractive to the local community.
Additionally, these kinds of services and programs are necessary to help bridge ensure that all members of our community can benefit from the opportunities that the digital and technological world has to offer.
