Pushing Limits: A Marathon for Digital Education
Connected Nation is teaming up with a heavyweight crew, including AT&T and more than 25 organizations, in a radical quest to snag a Guinness World Record for the longest internet literacy live stream. This ain't just a play for glory; it's about tackling a digital skills— or lack thereof—crisis galloping worldwide.
The Global Stage for Digital Skills
At the heart of this record attempt is a dizzying 25-hour live event, slotted for September 24-25, that'll swirl over six continents. Starting at 9 a.m. ET in the good ol' U.S. of A., the stream plans to follow the sun, promising free access to anyone with an internet connection. It's a global shoutout to those billions—ya hear that right, billions—struggling to navigate our digital age's tech gadgets safely.
With sessions on hip tech topics like AI Self-Defense and Family Focused Technology Habits, this all-star knowledgefest's a must-catch. Some of the ace organizations leading the digital charge include AARP's Older Adults Technology Services, Common Sense Media, and Tech Savvy Teens. Tack on participation from five continents, and you've got a cocktail stirred for digital connectivity.
"For 25 consecutive hours, we're proving that closing the Digital Divide takes more than access," Tom Ferree, CN Chairman & CEO, puts it plainly. It's about teaching and learning—two sides of the same digital coin.
Setting an Audacious World Record
Listen, setting a Guinness World Record takes more than grit; there are parameters. The effort must log 25 continuous hours of streaming, with pauses no longer than one minute, and a baseline of at least 50 live viewers at all times. Brushing up on digital skills with some expert training under these rules is more than an urgent need. It's essential, like securing a grip on the ever-evolving digital landscape.
“This event is a chance to inspire action,” Heather Gate, CN's EVP of Digital Transformation, explains. “We want to empower individuals everywhere and demonstrate that digital skills can transform lives.”
A Coalition of Generosity and Expertise
Rounding off the effort are sponsors and supporters like Amazon and Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), ensuring this record-setting hustle gains them real traction. Tackling the digital divide isn't a one-player sport; it demands collaboration. The partnership's wide-ranging support network, made feasible by diverse expertise, amplifies digital skill access in big ways.
Connected Nation, a staple of the digital literacy world for over two decades now, is all about breaking barriers. Celebrating its 25th birthday in 2026, this U.S.-based nonprofit is hell-bent on pushing everyone's access to broadband. That's what we call a mission to back.
Driving Digital Skills Into the Future
Ultimately, this Guinness World Record attempt is more than a headline grab; it's a global effort powered by the urgency to bridge the digital skills gap. Tackling the inadequacies isn't just philanthropic fluff—it's tied to economic empowerment, freedom, and the betterment of quality of life worldwide. So whether it's five minutes or five hours, there's a session in this marathon that speaks to someone, somewhere.
For those wanting to get in on the action, the full schedule's a tap away, and those moved to help can do so by donating to the initiative. Connected Nation's vision is a world where digital empowerment is available for every person, insisting this marathon incites more than education—it evokes a movement.
