A recent report from the Journal of Computer-Mediated  Communications found…

Both computers and internet access are important tools. They are used to make purchases, get an education, and access healthcare, among other things. But which of these resources is more important? Is it more valuable to use a computer or have the internet at home? One way to try to answer this question is by looking at patterns in the relationship between having in-home internet or using a computer and using the internet in beneficial ways (e.g., eHealth, job searches, and government services). Analysis of census data from 2021 and 2023 finds that using a computer is more strongly associated with beneficial uses of the internet than having in-home internet. Also, in a comparison of households where people use computers but do not have the internet with households that have the internet but do not use computers, we find that households with computers and no internet are more likely to use the internet in beneficial ways. These benefits are generally enhanced when the computers work well. Altogether, these data support the argument that although both in-home internet and computers are important, governments, schools, and other organizations should help ensure that people have reliable access to computers at home.

In some ways, this feels like a chicken and egg situation and in the conclusion of the report, the authors seem to recognize that both are important…

Despite the limitations of cross-sectional data, these findings underscore the role that computers play in ensuring successful internet access. Although this may seem obvious, U.S. policy has historically emphasized provisions of internet service (King & Gonzales, 2023), a conversation that was magnified for important reasons during COVID-19. We do not mean to diminish the importance of in-home internet service, particularly in homes with smartphone users. Internet access is critical for daily life in industrialized contexts, and the enormously expensive nature of broadband infrastructure often requires government intervention. But, as a result, policies may at times overlook the essential nature of having physical and operational access to a reliable computer. Researchers should continue to explore the barriers that people face in successfully accessing a computer. With a substantial percent of the U.S. population still without in-home internet or computer access, there is still work to be done.