Why Device Support is Critical

people training at a computer lab
As the amount and complexity of daily computing continues to climb,
new inequities are likely to emerge.

Where do people go for support when devices malfunction or they have questions about internet tasks?

Those working in the digital inclusion sphere know that owning a device or having in-home internet access are necessary but not sufficient steps to reduce digital inequities. A range of digital skills are also key if people are going to navigate inevitable technical setbacks and take advantage of all the internet has to offer. But where do people go for support when devices malfunction or they have questions about internet tasks?

Digitunity commissioned leading expert Amy Gonzales, an Associate Professor of the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to examine what type of tech problems are most disruptive to continued computer use and benefit, the current types of technical support are currently successful, and explores where there is room for improvement.

This original report provides an evidenced-based discussion, observations, and recommended solutions to build lasting pathways to the critical ongoing support required to ensure successful computer ownership.

Register below and click the download button to be sent a PDF copy of the report.

Download the Why Device Support is Critical Report

why device support product mockup

Other Recent Posts

A man wearing a maroon polo shirt and an "Oklahoma" baseball cap sits at a wooden desk using a computer with a spreadsheet open on it.

Digital Skills in Action: From Training to the Workplace

At Hope House Guthrie, rebuilding a life often begins with learning new skills. Hope House Guthrie is a nonprofit in Guthrie, Oklahoma, that provides shelter, meals, and clothing to individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship. The organization also connects people to resources that support recovery, employment, and long-term stability. For many people entering recovery and life transformation programs, rebuilding their lives means gaining work experience, reconnecting with their community, and learning ways to navigate systems that

Cover image of Digitunity report on smartphone-only access and its limits in program design and policy.

The Smartphone-Only Assumption

Why device access shapes participation in modern systems A new analysis from Digitunity examines a common assumption in program design and policy: that smartphone access is enough. This analysis shows where that assumption breaks down. While smartphones are widely used and effective for communication and quick tasks, they are not designed for the kinds of activities required to fully participate in modern systems, such as education, employment, healthcare, and public services. In the United States,

A man stands in front of a green CACRC backdrop, holding an open laptop and smiling, dressed in a black polo and sneakers.

How One Louisiana Nonprofit is Strengthening Computer Ownership Across the Gulf South

In Louisiana, a non-profit technology refurbisher addresses an overlooked digital divide by giving computers a second life and a second home. The computer ownership gap across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi is among the deepest in the nation. In these Southern states, 2024 American Community Survey data shows that 1 in 5 households or a total of 929,620 households, did not have access to a computer or relied solely on a smartphone for their internet connectivity.

Translate »

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