Disconnected: Experiencing the Digital Divide
A short simulation about internet access in everyday life
Welcome to the Simulation
Millions of people still lack reliable internet access. In 3 simulations you will experience how the digital divide affects everyday life.
Start Simulation
Homework: Your teacher posted an assignment online that is due tonight! Your home internet is very slow and unreliable.
Don't do the assignment and risk your grade going down a letter grade.
Go home and hope that the internet won't cut out again.
Go to the public library 15 minutes from your house.
Result:Your internet connection is too slow and the file upload fails.
Many students in rural areas struggle with unreliable broadband. Fact: Rural households are significantly more likely to lack high-speed internet. (Source: Pew Research Center)
Next Senario
Result You travel to the public library and use their Wi-Fi to submit the assignment.
Many students rely on public Wi-Fi because they do not have broadband at home.
Next Senario
Result: You miss the assignment deadline.Your grade drops to a C
Limited internet access can create educational disadvantages.
Next Senario
Doctor Visit You need to schedule a doctor's appointment. Your clinic offers affordable zoom appointments, but they require stable internet.
Call the Clinic to make an in person visit
Book the Zoom appointment, hope you internet doesn't cut out
Don't book the zoom appointment and just go to the hospital
Result: You go to the hospital and wait 2 hours and walk out with a big bill.
People in rural communities often travel farther for healthcare services. Fact The digital divide often affects rural populations where broadband infrastructure is limited and expensive to build.
Next Senario
Result: Your internet cuts out and you have to figure something else out
Telehealth services require stable broadband connections. Studies show that counties with higher broadband access have significantly higher telehealth use, demonstrating the importance of internet connectivity in healthcare.
Next Senario
Applying for a Job You want to apply for a new job. Most companies only accept online applications. Your internet connection is unreliable. What do you do?
Go to a job center 25 minutes away.
Make the trip to the library again or go to a friends home for good internet
Apply online at home.
Result: The website loads slowly and your connection drops several times.
Reliable broadband is important for job searching, online training, and professional networking. Fact Broadband access has become a major concern for policymakers because the digital divide can limit economic opportunities in rural communities.
Conclusion
Result: You use a friend’s high-speed internet connection and complete the application easily.
People without reliable internet often depend on friends, family, or public spaces to access online services. Fact Although most Americans use the internet, only about 78% subscribe to home broadband, leaving many households dependent on alternative connections.
Conclusion
Next Senario
Result: You complete the application but it takes extra time and transportation.
Limited broadband access can make job searches slower and more difficult. Fact Rural areas consistently show lower broadband adoption rates than suburban communities, highlighting ongoing digital inequality.
Conclusion
Next Senario
Expanding broadband infrastructure and investing in digital equity programs are important steps toward ensuring that everyone can participate fully in modern society. Final Message: Access to reliable internet is increasingly viewed not as a luxury, but as a basic necessity for education, employment, healthcare, and communication.
Conclusion:Why the Digital Divide Matters
Throughout this simulation, you experienced how internet access affects everyday activities like schoolwork, job applications, and healthcare. For millions of people, unreliable or unavailable internet creates real barriers to opportunity. The digital divide highlights inequalities in access to technology and information, especially for rural communities, low-income households, and underserved populations.
Disconnected: Experiencing the Digital Divide
Jackelin Martinez
Created on March 13, 2026
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Transcript
Disconnected: Experiencing the Digital Divide
A short simulation about internet access in everyday life
Welcome to the Simulation
Millions of people still lack reliable internet access. In 3 simulations you will experience how the digital divide affects everyday life.
Start Simulation
Homework: Your teacher posted an assignment online that is due tonight! Your home internet is very slow and unreliable.
Don't do the assignment and risk your grade going down a letter grade.
Go home and hope that the internet won't cut out again.
Go to the public library 15 minutes from your house.
Result:Your internet connection is too slow and the file upload fails.
Many students in rural areas struggle with unreliable broadband. Fact: Rural households are significantly more likely to lack high-speed internet. (Source: Pew Research Center)
Next Senario
Result You travel to the public library and use their Wi-Fi to submit the assignment.
Many students rely on public Wi-Fi because they do not have broadband at home.
Next Senario
Result: You miss the assignment deadline.Your grade drops to a C
Limited internet access can create educational disadvantages.
Next Senario
Doctor Visit You need to schedule a doctor's appointment. Your clinic offers affordable zoom appointments, but they require stable internet.
Call the Clinic to make an in person visit
Book the Zoom appointment, hope you internet doesn't cut out
Don't book the zoom appointment and just go to the hospital
Result: You go to the hospital and wait 2 hours and walk out with a big bill.
People in rural communities often travel farther for healthcare services. Fact The digital divide often affects rural populations where broadband infrastructure is limited and expensive to build.
Next Senario
Result: Your internet cuts out and you have to figure something else out
Telehealth services require stable broadband connections. Studies show that counties with higher broadband access have significantly higher telehealth use, demonstrating the importance of internet connectivity in healthcare.
Next Senario
Applying for a Job You want to apply for a new job. Most companies only accept online applications. Your internet connection is unreliable. What do you do?
Go to a job center 25 minutes away.
Make the trip to the library again or go to a friends home for good internet
Apply online at home.
Result: The website loads slowly and your connection drops several times.
Reliable broadband is important for job searching, online training, and professional networking. Fact Broadband access has become a major concern for policymakers because the digital divide can limit economic opportunities in rural communities.
Conclusion
Result: You use a friend’s high-speed internet connection and complete the application easily.
People without reliable internet often depend on friends, family, or public spaces to access online services. Fact Although most Americans use the internet, only about 78% subscribe to home broadband, leaving many households dependent on alternative connections.
Conclusion
Next Senario
Result: You complete the application but it takes extra time and transportation.
Limited broadband access can make job searches slower and more difficult. Fact Rural areas consistently show lower broadband adoption rates than suburban communities, highlighting ongoing digital inequality.
Conclusion
Next Senario
Expanding broadband infrastructure and investing in digital equity programs are important steps toward ensuring that everyone can participate fully in modern society. Final Message: Access to reliable internet is increasingly viewed not as a luxury, but as a basic necessity for education, employment, healthcare, and communication.
Conclusion:Why the Digital Divide Matters
Throughout this simulation, you experienced how internet access affects everyday activities like schoolwork, job applications, and healthcare. For millions of people, unreliable or unavailable internet creates real barriers to opportunity. The digital divide highlights inequalities in access to technology and information, especially for rural communities, low-income households, and underserved populations.