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Mari Castañeda, dean of Commonwealth Honors College and professor of communication, recently authored the chapter “Racial Gap in Digital Inclusion” in the 2026 Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology, an academic reference that explores the field of cyberpsychology and how people interact with digital technologies.

In her chapter, Castañeda examines the concept of digital inclusion, the structures that govern access to digital spaces and the inequalities that result. She argues that digital inclusion must be reimagined through greater cultural awareness, intentional investment and equitable governance of digital spaces. Access, she writes, is not solely an economic issue but one that has evolved into a fundamental human rights issue.

Revealing persistent disparities, Castañeda writes, “...six in ten Black and Hispanic adults in the United States have owned computers and/or subscribed to broadband service at home, whereas White households are 80% more likely to have computers or internet access.”

She also argues that market-based governance of digital technologies perpetuates historic inequalities, emphasizing the critical work of nonprofits and government programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that promote digital equity. As technologies like artificial intelligence continue to evolve, Castañeda stresses that new and intentional approaches to digital inclusion must be adopted to prevent the widening of disparities in digital access and literacy.

Castañeda also challenges the notion that digital inclusion initiatives only benefit underrepresented groups. Instead, she contends that digital inclusion advances the common good for everyone, writing that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” She concludes that the United States needs a digital governance framework grounded on this principle.

More information about The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology, including Castañeda’s chapter, can be found on the Springer Nature website.