Powering the Next Generation Through Free Broadband Access
When the school day ends, learning shouldn’t stop. Yet for too many students in Athens, opportunities close when Wi-Fi drops. Homework, online research, and college applications all depend on a steady internet connection. However, many families in House District 122 still lack reliable, fast internet access.
The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that broadband is not a luxury. In 2020, the Clark County School District determined that more than 1,200 students needed help accessing the internet from home. Internet access serves as a lifeline for education and work. Today, Georgia prepares to invest $1.3 billion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a federal initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that funds high-speed internet expansion. We have a chance to make sure those funds don’t just reach households but empower communities.
That’s why Athens should launch a Youth Digital Empowerment Pilot, using BEAD funds to install free high-speed Wi-Fi in after-school centers, libraries, and community hubs across the district. This project would close the homework gap and give students equal access to the digital tools they need to succeed. Despite progress through the Broadband Connectivity Enhancement Project, Athens still faces persistent digital disparities. According to the project report, one in five households lacks reliable internet service. Broadband costs remain a barrier, especially for families in East Athens and rural parts of the district. This digital divide has real consequences. Students without internet access are more likely to fall behind on assignments, perform worse on standardized tests, and face limited career opportunities.
A longitudinal county‑level study found that higher rates of household broadband adoption are associated with improved standardized test scores in both math and language arts. The research also revealed that the academic gains from broadband access were particularly strong among Black, Latino, and lower‑income students, which highlights how connectivity can help reduce educational disparities. When classrooms go online, even temporarily, these gaps widen. The Georgia Broadband Availability Map confirms what Athens residents already know: infrastructure is not the problem, affordability and incentives are.
Free Wi-Fi is only part of the solution. To make broadband a growth tool, we must also invest in digital literacy education. Despite growth in broadband, many remain offline. Age, income, education, and experience influence how people use and accept the internet. Unfortunately, the Americans who could benefit most from the internet are often the ones unable to “break the trajectories of social isolation, poverty, and illiteracy.”
This pilot would partner with the University of Georgia, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, and local schools to design a digital literacy and artificial intelligence (AI) education course for middle and high school students. The course would teach students how to use AI tools ethically, protect their privacy, and think critically about the information they encounter online. AI already influences everything from college essays to job applications. Teaching students to use it responsibly prepares them not only for the classroom but for the workforce.
A pilot study of a three-day bootcamp for high school students found that students demonstrated strong engagement through active participation in quizzes, discussions, and interactive coding activities. The use of an effective multimodal delivery approach that combined videos and playground exercises enhanced comprehension and kept students motivated to learn. With UGA’s nationally recognized Institute for Artificial Intelligence and College of Education, Athens has the local expertise to lead the state in this effort.
The Youth Digital Empowerment Pilot would work through four simple steps. First, it would install free, high-speed Wi-Fi networks in after-school centers, libraries, and community buildings. Second, it would develop a short, engaging online class with UGA and local teachers to teach digital safety, research literacy, and responsible AI use. Third, the program would encourage students to apply their learning through hands-on projects like local data mapping, community storytelling, or entrepreneurship challenges. A case study on rural entrepreneurship found that hands-on training using smart and connected technology kits significantly improved students’ understanding and application of technology in real-world scenarios. These projects also helped students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are essential for future academic and career success. Finally, it would evaluate progress by collecting data on Wi-Fi usage, class participation, and student outcomes, helping identify the best ways to expand the model across Georgia.
Reliable, public Wi-Fi means a student in East Athens can finish their homework without sitting outside a fast-food restaurant. It means families can apply for jobs, access telehealth, and stay informed. It means our community keeps pace with the digital economy, shaping Georgia’s future. Other Georgia counties are already taking steps toward local broadband access. With BEAD funds flowing into the state this year, Athens can go further by linking connectivity with education.
Archita Gaur is a third-year at the University of Georgia studying political science and economics. She is a member of our Youth & AI policy group.