A new report reveals Pacific families’ growing internet reliance is cause for concern, with online engagement, affordability, and safety needs at its centre.
The report from InternetNZ’s Internet Insights 2024 shows that 59 per cent of 96 Pacific respondents spend four or more hours online each day, the highest among all surveyed groups.
In contrast, half of over 1000 respondents across the motu also report reaching the four-hour mark, up 46 per cent from last year.
Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, InternetNZ Chief Executive Vivien Maidaborn says the country’s increasing internet usage is concerning.
“As a society, we are needing to really figure out the difference between what’s possible in terms of time online and what works for us,” Maidaborn says.
She says screensare designed for repetitive use, which can lead to addiction.
“It is a concern if every year the amount of time we’re spending online grows, because we know that that will affect how much time we spend outside, exercising, time we spend face-to-face with our friends and relatives.”
She says internet access is increasingly viewed as a fundamental in today’s society.
“So much of our lives run through the Internet that for people to not be able to afford to be there seems like an unacceptable bottom line for us in 2025.”
Watch Vivien Maidaborn’s full interview below.
Maidaborn says Pacific respondents are particularly concerned about internet costs and the accessibility of services in remote areas.
She says being cut off from the internet is “a tough one” as it often depends on the internet provider and the family’s ability to communicate any issues they encounter.
She says the low socioeconomic groups face significant barriers due to high costs for data or connectivity.
She says the Government’s broadband investments and ongoing surveys indicate fewer families are living without internet access over time.
Organisations like the DECA Alliance and Spark are working on digital equity initiatives, and while progress has been made, Maidaborn believes there are still valid concerns about the issue.
The survey shows 86 per cent of Pacific respondents were concerned about children’s online safety. Photo /Unsplash
Online safety concerns
The report also shows that 86 per cent of Pacific respondents are worried about children’s online safety, compared to a national average of 71 per cent.
Maidaborn recommends that families look into programmes on the NetSafe website, which has “strong relationships across the Pacific”.
“They have programmes specifically designed for Pacific peoples, so going to the NetSafe website would be what I would recommend to every family.”
She says these programmes are designed to help protect children of different ages and teach them how to stay safe online.
Maidaborn says NetSAfe is beginning to develop programmes that cater specifically for communities such as Ni-Vanuatu and Sāmoan, improving the use of their resources.
