What role does the internet play in households facing poverty? This central question guided a series of interviews with social professionals. A recent scientific article explores the findings from this research, and in this blog, Lilian Boerkamp provides a brief overview of the key insights. Want to learn more? Read on!
Digital Inclusion, Poverty, and Social Work
The online world can no longer be viewed in isolation from the offline world. Therefore, to provide effective digital support, it is essential to examine the internet’s role across different life domains for households experiencing poverty. Social workers are deeply involved in assisting these households, yet their perspectives often remain underrepresented in academic research. This study aims to address this gap. We interviewed 14 professionals, all of whom hold key positions in the social sector. A more detailed report of these conversations can be found in the full research article, but in this post, we’ll highlight some of the most striking findings.
The Internet’s Role in Different Areas of Life
When discussing poverty and the internet in the literature, the focus often falls on the lack of material resources, such as not owning functioning devices. While social workers acknowledge this concern, they predominantly emphasized the challenges households face when managing financial matters online. Although the internet can offer opportunities for financial tracking, its complexity creates numerous barriers. Common issues include difficulties with DigiD (the Dutch digital identity system), and the risk of falling victim to fraudulent loan applications, which can lead to long-term problems. Social workers also stress that managing finances online is often a necessity for people in poverty:
“You need to upload pay slips, but how do you know when to upload them? If you have a higher level of education, this isn’t an issue, but if you live on a minimum wage, you go crazy with all the information everyone asks from you. And every organization wants the information in a different format.”
The experts interviewed also pointed out the importance of language in the digital world. This issue not only affects people with a migration background but also those dealing with low literacy. Combined with the often complex language used on websites, this creates significant barriers.
The interviews also revealed that the internet can have a positive role in connecting people. For instance, Facebook groups were mentioned as a means for individuals to connect and offer help, such as sharing meals or groceries. However, social media can also have a negative impact on those living in poverty. Seeing others engage in activities they can’t afford can create feelings of isolation and frustration, as one social worker explained:
“Now you see all kinds of nice photos on Instagram of people attending a concert or enjoying a dinner. Imagine that you can never do that, or can’t do it for a long time. What I see then is that people literally and figuratively close the door and the curtains.”
Finally, social workers emphasized the link between the internet and stress. If someone cannot navigate the complexities of the online world, they become highly dependent on receiving the right help to regain their independence. However, many people living in poverty lack the necessary support networks in their immediate surroundings, which makes asking for help difficult. Social workers therefore advocate for making assistance as simple and accessible as possible. At the same time, they highlight the responsibility of formal institutions to ensure that their services are easy to access.
Future Research
The interviews with social professionals formed the foundation for mapping the need for digital support. However, the perspective of the households themselves is also crucial. Therefore, after conducting these interviews, discussions were held with parents from 18 families who are directly experiencing poverty. We will share the results once the article about this phase is published. Be sure to stay tuned to this website for updates on the ongoing research.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the research project, please feel free to contact Lilian Boerkamp or Alexander van Deursen.
