Bill Overview
Title: To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill establishes the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission to conduct a study on digital literacy and equity, including the state of digital literacy and information literacy in the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Target Audience
Population: People who require or benefit from digital literacy skills
Estimated Size: 2980000000
- Digital literacy impacts anyone who uses digital devices or services, which includes a large portion of the global population.
- Digital literacy is defined as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, which is a vital skill in the modern world.
- According to the World Bank, approximately 4.66 billion people use the internet globally, which is relevant as digital literacy pertains heavily to internet use.
- The bill is focused on the United States, but digital literacy and equity are global issues, so the impact could extend beyond the U.S. if the findings are shared or adopted globally.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to improve digital literacy across the United States, impacting approximately 298 million Americans based on the internet usage statistics.
- Digital literacy is crucial for success in education, employment, and access to vital services, meaning the policy could have wide-ranging benefits.
- Given the broad scope of digital literacy in everyday activities, individuals with limited access or skill in digital usage could benefit significantly.
- The budget constraint ensures that the program targets the most critical areas of need rather than spreading resources too thin.
- A diverse population mix is considered, including urban and rural residents, young and older individuals, and various socio-economic backgrounds.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy could improve resources available for students like me.
- Improved digital literacy programs might help less tech-savvy students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Factory Worker (Omaha, NE)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in digital education could provide new job opportunities.
- Hopeful for more accessible internet resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Teacher (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will likely offer more structured digital learning resources for schools.
- Equity in digital skills is important for student success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more resources to enhance business digital skills would be beneficial.
- I support the initiative, especially for younger entrepreneurs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Alabama)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More digital literacy could help me stay connected to family.
- Important for emergency and health services access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is crucial for closing the digital divide.
- My role might evolve, focusing more on outreach and education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Healthcare Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving digital literacy means better digital security.
- Hope for outreach programs in professional settings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Educator (Seattle, WA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy could revitalize community education focusing on digital skills.
- Libraries are key in this digital literacy effort.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy supports important conversations about digital inclusion.
- Encourages better reporting techniques through digital tools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Digital literacy programs can help freelancers stay on top of trends.
- Would like access to workshops or webinars.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54080000 (Low: $43680000, High: $64480000)
Year 5: $58304800 (Low: $47132800, High: $69504800)
Year 10: $64627800 (Low: $52216000, High: $77027800)
Year 100: $115000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $140000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the commission's study may depend on its ability to synthesize data from a variety of sources and stakeholders.
- Success of the policy may be influenced by concurrent digital equity initiatives at state and local levels.
- Potential overlap and synergy with existing digital literacy programs.