Resistance, Opportunities and Tensions. The Role of Children and Young People in Internet Adoption of Isolated Rural Communities

Chile has undergone numerous technology policy-making initiatives that have progressively diminished the internet connection gap. However, isolated rural areas are the Achilles’ heel because, despite having access infrastructure, households’ internet connection remain scarce. At the same time, the evidence shows that children and youth, particularly from lower socioeconomic status, may have a key role in their families’ digital inclusion process. Terefore, this chapter explores the role that young people play in the digital inclusion of isolated rural families, but also the tensions that emerge in the process. Trough qualitative methods that included 48 interviews and six focus groups, the fndings indicate that the presence of young people at home is a relevant factor in internet adoption. However, the scenario is complex as the internet is mainly perceived as a disruptive element that threatens communication within the family and the traditional values of those tight-knit communities.