Donate

Why Computers Matter: A Conversation with Dr. Amy Gonzales

Millions of people in the U.S. face barriers to opportunity because they don’t have access to a reliable computer. In this interview, Dr. Amy Gonzales, Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara, joins Digitunity board member Allison Strobel to explore the real-world impact of computer ownership, and why large-screen devices matter more than ever.

This interview builds on findings from Amy’s co-authored paper, published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, May 2025: “First-Level Fundamentals: Computer Ownership Is More Important for Internet Benefits than In-Home Internet Service.”  Read the full paper here.

" Analysis of census data from 2020 and 2023 shows that using a computer is more strongly associated with beneficial uses of the internet than having in-home internet."

- Gonzales & Zhang, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 2025 Tweet

 Watch the Full Interview Below

What the Research Shows

This conversation draws on national survey data and years of qualitative research to highlight a central truth: Computer ownership is the gateway to opportunity.

New findings confirm what communities have long understood:

  • Computers are consistently associated with higher rates of online job applications, healthcare access, and use of government services.
  • Smartphones and internet alone are not enough for online activities.
  • Poor-quality devices and lack of technical support create invisible barriers that add up over time.

Why This Matters

  • 1 in 7 U.S. households do not have a large-screen computer at home
  • Over 33 million people are affected by the digital divide
  • Device quality matters: The paper found that the functionality of the computer (not just its presence) further explained differences in outcomes, meaning having a computer isn’t enough if it doesn’t work well.

What’s Needed

Dr. Gonzales outlines a path forward, one that centers on systems-level change:

  • Access to reliable, functional large-screen computers
  • Affordable broadband
  • Digital skills training and emotional support
  • Technical assistance and device maintenance
  • Visibility, outreach, and investment in public-facing computing infrastructure

Digitunity partners with communities nationwide to expand computer ownership: not through short-term fixes, but by transforming the systems that make access possible.

Other Recent Posts

The DigITunity logo features the word "DIGITUNITY" with stylized arcs connecting the letters "I" in black and red and a registered trademark symbol.

Digitunity Announces New Officers and Welcomes New Board Members

Effective January 2026, Digitunity is delighted to introduce new Officers to its Board of Directors. These leadership transitions reflect the Board’s unwavering dedication to building and strengthening the infrastructure needed to ensure computer ownership is possible for all. New Board Officers President Allison Strobel, Executive Director, Hoboken Public Education Vice President Steven Nickel, Google Treasurer Matt Zimmer, Close the Loop Thank You to Outgoing President Jeremy Hegle Digitunity extends deep gratitude to Jeremy Hegle of

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a young woman with long brown hair, smiling at the camera, wearing a black top, standing in front of a stone wall background.

Melissa Patton Joins Digitunity as Communications Associate

Digitunity is pleased to welcome Melissa Patton as Communications Associate. In this role, Melissa supports Digitunity’s external communications, digital platforms, and online presence, contributing to the systems and tools that help the team communicate clearly and consistently across channels. She works closely with colleagues across the organization on website updates, content publishing, accessibility improvements, and coordinating digital communications across platforms. Melissa graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in computer science, with a concentration in

An older woman speaks into a microphone while sitting with a walker in front of a screen displaying her photo and an award announcement.

From One Classroom to a National Movement: Dr. Yvette Marrin on Digitunity and Computer Ownership

“Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die, Life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” — Langston Hughes For over four decades, Dr. Yvette Marrin has been at the forefront of a movement to make computer ownership possible for everyone. Her journey began with a powerful moment at a children’s rehabilitation center in 1981, when she witnessed how a simple switch could unlock a world of possibilities for a child with disabilities.In her

Translate »

The need for computers has never been greater.​ Sign up for our newsletter.