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.
Therefore, 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. Through qualitative methods that included 48 interviews and six focus groups, the findings 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.