Internet appropriation barriers in the lives of Dutch parents living in poverty: A qualitative study

As poverty and digital exclusion go hand in hand, knowing what hinders parents in poverty from profiting from internet opportunities is crucial. This study identifies barriers in the four internet appropriation phases – attitude and motivation, material access, skills, usage – and their connections with life domains – economic, social, cultural, personal. We conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with Dutch parents in poverty. The findings highlight diverse internet appropriation barriers such as negative prior experiences, limitations of donated devices, and a reliance on support of others which is not always up to par. Connected life domains are highly interrelated.