‘Constantly seeking access': The young people locked out of a connected world

What does a digitally inclusive future look like, and who is at risk of being left behind? Research commissioned by One NZ highlights youth perspectives to imagine what digital inclusion in Aotearoa could mean. 

It’s 5.27pm, and the library is closing. You are one of the tens of thousands of young people in Aotearoa without an internet connection at home, and you have three minutes to submit your online assessment. You finish typing the end of your sentence, then hit submit and log out of the public access computer. You know you could’ve done better if you had a few more hours, but it couldn’t be helped; when you arrived at the library, both available computers had been taken by people accessing government services like MSD. 

Outside, the sun is setting. You pull out your phone to check when the bus will arrive, but the app shows no connection and you remember your mobile data plan ran out last week. You start to text someone you’ll be home soon, but your phone dies midway. It’s a hand-me-down, so the battery is cooked, but it’s better than nothing. You tuck your phone away. There’s no one else on the street as the lights come on. You wonder where the bus is.

Digital connection today is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Public services, education, information and support often require an internet connection to access. But not everyone is equally connected, and it’s often our most vulnerable who are left behind. Importantly, digital inclusion is not just about access, but ensuring safety and trust in digital spaces.

In 2017, a report commissioned by MBIE and the Department of Internal Affairs found that those most at risk of digital exclusion included families with children in low socioeconomic communities, rural communities, people with disabilities or English as a second language, Māori and Pacific youth, and seniors. 

In 2018, a different report commissioned by Te Rourou – then the Vodafone NZ Foundation – and InternetNZ highlighted the perspectives of those experiencing digital exclusion, with a focus on young people. It affirmed that having an affordable connection to the internet is “an integral and essential part of daily life”, and that limited access can have negative impacts on social and economic outcomes. 

Digital exclusion often compounds disadvantage, says Dr Ellen Strickland. An expert on Internet policy and digital governance, and director at public interest think tank Brainbox, Strickland was involved in the 2018 research as well as the just-released report, Connected Rangatahi: Digital Inclusion in the Age of AI.

“During moments of vulnerability, not having access to digital technologies can compound harm, limiting someone’s ability to get support.”

At Te Rourou, which has a stated vision of helping rangatahi thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand, that makes digital equity an urgent priority. 

“We need to treat digital infrastructure as a necessity,” says the foundation’s head, Ezekiel Raui. “It’s no longer a nice-to-have. We need it for work, for school, to keep connected to our social groups.”

Responses from research participants revealed that one of the biggest barriers to access was cost. Digital devices are expensive, and represent a major investment for many young people and their whānau. Though there are more affordable devices on the secondhand market, Strickland points out that the rapid pace and subsequent obsolescence of technology also poses a significant challenge. 

Besides the devices themselves, staying connected was also a challenge for young people and other vulnerable New Zealanders. Mobile data isn’t cheap, which leaves many “constantly seeking access” through limited public networks and reliant on wifi, says Strickland. Rural communities are especially vulnerable to digital exclusion due to a reliance on insecure power networks, as exposed by weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle and recent storms. And without reliable and timely access to the Internet, those who are already marginalised face further isolation.

“Digital inclusion is important because it’s about human connection,” says Strickland.

“We use digital technologies to be connected with the people we love, which is important for everyone but especially for young people… not being able to contact others creates this isolation. The psychological and emotional impact of that is enormous.”

Young people were concerned about safety and wellbeing in online spaces, from scams and misinformation to issues of bullying and stalking. And these issues are only being compounded by the rise of generative AI.

“We need to strengthen our safety and trust in online spaces, especially given how rapidly AI is being taken up in personal and professional spaces,” says Raui. 

At the same time, “A lot of the same rangatahi had solutions for these challenges, but they weren’t being asked or included in the design of tech policy.”

Strickland adds that young people “have an amazing amount of knowledge and experience about what’s going on online for them”. The effort to create digital equity should include all sectors of society, including young people, she says.

For Raui and Strickland, a digitally equitable future isn’t possible without the inclusion of young people’s perspectives. That’s why giving young people a voice and empowering future leaders to help find solutions is a critical part of Te Rourou’s work. As digital technology becomes increasingly ubiquitous, Raui notes that excluding young people means “constantly leaving some of our most excluded and marginalised communities behind.

“Our young people are the workforce that will be working hand-in-hand with AI, and they’re going to be decision makers around future policy. It’s important that as we upskill we bring our communities with us.”

This piece was made in partnership with One NZ, who contributes $2 million per year to Te Rourou. For more information about Te Rourou or the Connected Rangatahi research, visit one.nz.