Digital Divide and Poverty in Rural Banda Aceh

A Case Study of Internet Illiteracy Among Unemployed and Impoverished Productive-Age Individuals in Gampong Ile, Lamteh, and Pango

Abstract

This study explores the impact of low digital literacy on poverty in semi-rural areas of Banda Aceh, specifically in Kecamatan Ulee Kareng. Based on field observations in Gampong Ile, Lamteh, and Pango, it was found that productive-age individuals (aged 15-64 years, as defined by BPS and the UN, encompassing those with the physical, intellectual, and social capacity to engage in economic activities) who are unemployed or impoverished struggle with internet usage. This exacerbates the digital divide, contributing to a cycle of poverty by limiting economic opportunities, information access, and self-empowerment. Using a qualitative approach with participant observation and semi-structured interviews, this research analyzes factors such as limited infrastructure and lack of digital education, and their effects on reliance on vulnerable traditional jobs. Findings indicate that digital illiteracy sustains poverty, and enhancing digital literacy could serve as a poverty alleviation strategy, aligning with the SSIK 2025 conference theme of sustainable environments and challenges for the younger generation.