The disparity in access to technology, often called the digital divide, is a long-standing issue that unexpectedly became strikingly apparent to many Americans when the Covid-19 pandemic prompted widespread school closures in March and a rapid shift to online learning.

The challenge extended beyond simply adapting lesson plans. A significant number of students lacked the necessary tools for remote education—either reliable internet connectivity or a computer at home, and frequently, both. Data from USAFacts, a non-partisan organization established with funding from former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, indicates that 4.4 million households with children experienced inconsistent access to computers for online learning throughout the pandemic.

Two Stanford University students, Isabel Wang and Margot Bellon, are actively working to address this problem and have already achieved considerable success. Through their six-month-old non-profit organization, Bridging Tech, they have distributed over 400 refurbished laptops to children in need, prioritizing those residing in homeless shelters, starting with students in the Bay Area, which alone has an estimated 2,000 homeless students in San Francisco.

Initially driven by personal passion, both students are now deeply committed to establishing Bridging Tech as a lasting organization. Their concern for the digital divide has intensified through firsthand observation, making it a cause they feel compelled to continue supporting.

Wang, who was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland known for its “racial tensions,” as she describes it—a setting also depicted in the novel “Little Fires Everywhere”—became involved in public health initiatives focused on underserved communities. This involvement led her to prioritize equitable access to education as a key component of her work.

Bellon, a biology major who connected with Wang at Stanford’s Outdoor House, shared similar interests. Her experiences volunteering in homeless shelters during high school and college in San Mateo, California, highlighted the difficulties created by limited access to technology. She notes that for many, obtaining WiFi requires spending time outside locations like Starbucks, and libraries often represent the only available access to computers.

When the pandemic forced widespread closures in the spring, Bellon recognized that these options were no longer available to those who relied on them, coinciding with Wang’s growing concerns. The two friends collaborated, and now 30 additional volunteers, primarily fellow Stanford students, are contributing to their efforts.

To date, Bridging Tech has concentrated on acquiring laptops for students without technological resources. Citrix Systems and Roche are among the major contributors, though the organization could undoubtedly benefit from increased support from the numerous technology companies in the region.

Once functional used computers are obtained, they are sent to a network of partner refurbishers who all guarantee their work for a period of one year. Computers 2 Kids in San Diego is one such partner, also providing clear, user-friendly instructions to help children easily set up and use the devices.

Bellon explains that homeless shelters in the Bay Area generally have volunteer technology specialists who assist children with initial computer setup, and that organizations like ShelterTech are collaborating with Bridging Tech to ensure these young recipients also have access to internet connectivity.

These devices are provided as permanent gifts to the students.

In addition to providing hardware, Bridging Tech has also initiated tutoring and mentorship programs centered around skill-based activities, such as computer science.

This represents a significant undertaking for two college students who were recently focused on completing their coursework. However, they are determined to expand their reach beyond Northern California, encouraged by the positive impact they’ve already made. Bellon states that they have already begun discussions with shelters in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, and several other cities.

As they have increasingly observed, disadvantaged children across the country who have been compelled to learn remotely due to the pandemic are falling behind their peers academically.

This is a problem that neither the federal government nor state governments are likely to resolve independently without a stronger commitment. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey revealed that approximately one in five American teenagers reported being unable to complete homework assignments due to a lack of reliable computer or internet access. The same survey found that one quarter of teenagers from lower-income households lacked access to a computer at home.

A key challenge for Wang and Bellon is determining how to expand their operations. Currently, refurbished computers are delivered directly to shelters by volunteer drivers. Bridging Tech does not yet have the logistical network or infrastructure in other cities to replicate this process.

Both founders acknowledge their limitations. Wang explicitly states that Bridging Tech requires not only more device donations but also the expertise of a grant writer, a marketing specialist, and a development professional to help forge partnerships with other organizations. “We’re college students, so any knowledge people can share with us is incredibly valuable,” she says.

She also admits that Bridging Tech “hasn’t yet established a streamlined process for handling in-kind donations in other cities, so we are primarily focusing on purchasing devices at this time.” (They are exploring options such as Whistle, a platform that pays users for their old devices but also allows them to donate the proceeds.)

Despite these challenges, the two remain dedicated to their mission, even as Wang prepares to return to school and Bellon plans to begin a master’s program next year.

“For a truly just society,” Bellon emphasizes, “technology must be accessible to all. Covid-19 has amplified these issues, but technology is essential in modern life and that trend will continue.”