Gen Z views internet as essential as water and calls for universal access
New research has uncovered that Gen Z views internet access as a “human right,” with a survey of 2,000 adults showing that the majority of those aged between 18 and 28 believe constant connectivity is as crucial as having clean running water.
The study revealed that 52% of Britons agree with this sentiment, while a staggering 73% think that enhancing internet access in rural regions should be a top priority for international development.
Eight in 10 of Gen Z could not imagine a world without the internet as over two thirds rely on it in some capacity for their livelihood.
The survey also discovered that 75% percentage of Baby Boomers now find it hard to imagine a life pre-internet, despite having lived through such times.
Alarmingly, close to three billion people worldwide still lack internet access—a fact that 86% of surveyed adults did not know. Furthermore, 35% of respondents were either unaware or uncertain that some areas also experience inconsistent electricity supply.
The main hurdles faced by communities without internet included accessing information (41%), obtaining modern healthcare (30%), and education (12%).
The study was initiated by the charity Hello World, which is dedicated to delivering free solar-powered internet hubs to communities lacking online connectivity.
Katrin McMillan, the founder and CEO of Hello World, emphasised the vital role of internet access, stating, “Around the world, billions of people have no internet, making it almost impossible to access essentials.
“I would argue that internet access is even more crucial for remote and marginalised communities, where there are no social services, than it is here in the UK.”
So far, Hello World has constructed 114 hubs across Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi, and Nepal, connecting nearly 125,000 individuals.
Communities utilising these ‘Hello Hubs’ depend on them for educational resources, including overseas university programmes, DIY repair guides, and modern healthcare solutions.
“We must remember how difficult life would be without access to the internet,” McMillan said. “Internet connectivity and digital inclusion drive economic development, provide access to vital services, and improve livelihoods.
“Our Hello Hubs are often the only source of internet connectivity in the communities we serve, meaning entire communities and societal institutions rely on us to build brighter futures through the power of the internet.
“I am confident that as we scale up our services, we can ensure that the children of tomorrow-no matter where they are born-are given equal access to the opportunities the internet can offer.”
