Digital Connectivity and Educational Resilience in Young People during COVID-19: Comparative Evidence for Latin America

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of digital connectivity on educational resilience among 20- to 24-year-olds during the COVID-19 pandemic in seven Latin American countries. Educational resilience was defined as the school attendance gap between extreme income quintiles (Q5-Q1). The research responds to the need to understand how technological conditions influence educational equity in crisis contexts. A quantitative, comparative, and correlational approach was used, with data from 2018 to 2022. Descriptive analysis, linear regressions, and regional clustering were applied. The results show educational gaps greater than 30 points between quintiles in most countries. Digital connectivity presented a conditional relationship: without structural controls, it increased inequality; with controls, it reduced it. Public investment and GDP per capita were key determinants. Countries with greater digital infrastructure and educational spending showed lower inequality. Cluster classification revealed distinct profiles of regional educational resilience. These findings are relevant to public policy design. They indicate that digital connectivity alone does not guarantee educational equity. Its impact depends on structural conditions and institutional decisions. A combination of technological investment, redistributive policies, and educational capacity building is recommended to reduce persistent inequalities. This study contributes to the regional understanding of digital-educational exclusion and offers useful evidence for post-pandemic planning.