Internet Devices and Internet Access Among Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

The internet has emerged as a basic utility that is essential for communication, well-being, education, and socioeconomic opportunities, and digital inclusion is increasingly recognized as one factor that influences the social determinants of health. Increasing the proportion of adults with broadband internet is an objective of Healthy People 2030. As with other utilities, such as water and sewer services, where inequities have been patterned by race and political power, evidence exists of a digital divide in internet access. The roots of this digital exclusion stem from unequal distribution of resources by age, sex, race, ethnicity, position in the division of labor, position within a nation (eg, resident vs migrant), and education level, resulting in differential access to digital technologies. The causes of digital exclusion align with conditions faced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Interventions are needed to increase internet access and digital inclusion for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina.