Connected Nation participates in the Digital Access Research Forum

Kansas City, Mo. (October 1, 2025) - On September 17, 2025, the Connected Nation Research team presented findings from our recently released report, “Stuck in the Middle: Internet Insecurity in Rural America,” at the Digital Access Research Forum, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

The conference brought together around 150 researchers and practitioners to discuss a wide array of topics related to accessing, adopting, and using the internet. The research and programs presented, and the discussions that followed, were valuable contributions that can help us better understand and close the Digital Divide.

In particular, our research shed light on the concept of internet insecurity. We analyzed survey data from 2,600 rural households in Michigan and Colorado, capturing whether there had been a time in the previous 12 months when their home internet situation changed. This included households that did not subscribe to internet service but had previously been connected, as well as those who had an internet subscription but experienced a lapse during the previous year.

These analyses produced some eye-opening conclusions. We found that roughly one-third (30.6%) of surveyed households were internet insecure — a higher number than expected. In addition, our results highlight that households with children and people with disabilities are more likely to experience internet insecurity.

Without sustained internet connectivity, families may struggle to consistently access educational resources, job opportunities, telehealth services, and other essential aspects of modern life. Recognizing the internet insecure population, collecting data on them, and conducting research like this serves as a first step in helping families not only connect to the internet, but stay connected.

To download and read the full report, click here.