As I think back on my parents’ experiences from their life-changing move from India to the United States, I am humbled by the sacrifices they made to give me a chance at a life with less hardship than they had.
In particular, the systemic barriers that my mother experienced in participating in the digital economy have taught me valuable lessons. This learning has driven my passion for bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy for all youth in my reach.
AI is everywhere, but is everyone being brought along?
The statistics are eye-opening. The Pew Research Center documented in 2020 that 63% of families earning less than $30,000 annually did not have broadband internet access at home. This is a stark reality in Los Angeles, where tech hubs like Silicon Beach thrive, yet thousands of students are left behind.
The digital gap creates a self-perpetuating pattern of underrepresentation in technology fields, which blocks people from achieving economic freedom, social mobility, and advancement. In fact, a report by the National Skills Coalition revealed that workers with limited digital skills earn significantly lower wages, with median hourly earnings 27% lower than those with advanced digital skills.
The current AI revolution is most certainly widening this gap. We are living in an era where technology is changing incredibly fast. While this brings forth tremendous opportunities for some, for others, it is simply inaccessible.
According to Reuters, a UN report warns that the gap is widening between the rich and the poor. This certainly poses significant challenges for those without the skills to adapt to participate in the advancement and subsequent economic growth. 
What am I doing about it?
In Los Angeles, initiatives like Make Great Plays are crucial to addressing this issue. Through my community project, I’ve witnessed digital literacy programs that have a positive impact across multiple generations. I founded the nonprofit organization Make Great Plays in March 2022.
My goal is to bridge the digital divide for low-income families, empowering technology equity and social mobility through innovative digital awareness programs. I am joined by 18 high school friends who are also highly committed to the cause.
Our program addresses systemic barriers to achieve equity in digital education and awareness, responding to the needs of low-income families in our community.
In March 2024, at an annual conference for six Title 1 schools within the Conejo Valley School District, I surveyed more than 500 parents of elementary and some middle school students, and gained a much deeper understanding of their struggles. 100+ respondents provided details on their challenges, with over 75% identifying navigating technology as their top barrier.
It became evident to us that while they wanted to improve their small business and help their children achieve their educational and career goals, they lacked the necessary information on their options and economic opportunities. The lack of digital knowledge inhibited them from successfully tracking their business transactions, effectively communicating with their customers, and hence struggling to improve their financial stability.
From a family standpoint, the parents did not know how to use email or the student portals to monitor and guide their children. From a long-term perspective, neither the parents nor the students were aware of their options to pursue technology education and career paths if they wished to do so. There was a general sense that technology was driving society’s economic progress, but they did not understand how to participate in it.
In response to this, we created a digital literacy program which has been promoting equity among the low-income communities through:
1) Increasing the knowledge about technology, potential educational routes, and careers
2) Empowering the families with options to have control and intentional decision-making to have the power to pave their career path.
3) Eliminating fear about Technology and facilitating Economic and Social Mobility.
4) Building strong community ties to connect with professionals in the technology industry.
5) Latino technology professionals: Given the community is largely Latino, we offer a space where Latino technology professionals, such as Software Engineer Alejandro Vasquez, can share their experiences in their own language and inspire the next generation to start a movement of tech pioneers.
We conduct 90-minute sessions in partnership with local schools and other community-led initiatives. I strongly feel it is our communal responsibility to uplift each other and empower every individual with the knowledge and tools needed to take control of their future and dream big dreams.
Our approach has been deliberate and respectful of individual experiences and views as we surveyed the community about their issues and needs, instead of assuming. We have been able to amplify the voices and provide the necessary tools and resources.
Juan Zaragoza’s story underscores the power of digital literacy. When an accident left this devoted father of four seriously injured, his gardening business and family struggled. He fell behind on payments, and his kids stopped attending school. A community coordinator’s support helped him collect payments and retain his business. Now, Juan is gaining skills through Make Great Plays, managing spreadsheets, documents, and email. He’s now curious about technology, higher education and careers for his kids.
Bridging the Divide: A Collective Effort
Our Make Great Plays program has seen a 70% increase in parents’ confidence navigating technology, and sparking interest in technology higher education for their children. This impact resonates across generations, inspiring a brighter future for our community. However, to bridge the digital divide at scale and speed in the era of AI, we need an approach that is wholesome, detailed, and intricate, as discussed in the UNESCO article.
Local governments, schools, organizations, and private sector companies must work together on increasing awareness, providing direction on career pathways, and subsidizing education for students in underrepresented communities to enter into technology and AI-related studies.
The fact that solving problems within the digital divide is hard or complex cannot be the reason little attention is brought to this matter. Changing policies, financial resources, and developing infrastructure are critical for the furthering of digital literacy and important skills related to AI.
These actions will empower students, impact economic growth, and build a society based on equity. Working together as a community, we can create a brighter future for all, regardless of background or status.
