Being connected to the internet is no longer optional for rangatahi, it is an essential part of everyday life, according to new research released by Te Rourou, the charitable foundation of One New Zealand. However cost, unreliable access and growing concerns about online safety and trust continue to create barriers.
Connected Rangatahi: Digital Inclusion in the Age of AI explores what digital inclusion looks like for young people today, drawing directly on the experiences and perspectives of rangatahi, predominantly aged 16–24. The research identifies six interconnected themes shaping digital inclusion in the AI age: cost, physical access, trust, safety, skills and empowerment.
The research finds digital connection is deeply embedded in rangatahi lives, enabling education, employment, banking and access to services, as well as learning and pursuing interests. Most importantly, rangatahi described the internet as a vital way to connect with whānau, friends and communities.
But significant barriers remain. Device and data costs, poor connectivity and power outages can all make it difficult to stay connected, with the consequences felt particularly by those already experiencing disadvantage.
At the same time, rangatahi say the online environment is becoming harder to navigate safely and confidently. Bullying, scams, harmful content and the impacts of social media on wellbeing are concerns, while misinformation and the rapid growth of generative AI are making it harder to know what is real online.
Connection is essential
Ezekiel Raui, Head of Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation, says the research shows the way we think about digital inclusion needs to evolve. “For rangatahi, being connected isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s how you learn, find work, manage your money, access services and, importantly, stay connected with your whānau, friends and community.
“That means we need to start treating affordable and reliable digital connection as essential. When a young person loses connectivity, they’re not simply losing access to entertainment. They can lose access to education, employment, support and the people around them.
“But access is only part of the picture. AI is changing the digital world incredibly quickly, and alongside the opportunities it creates, rangatahi are telling us they’re increasingly questioning what they can trust online. We need to make sure our approach to digital inclusion keeps pace, which includes considering all aspects of inclusion, including skills and empowerment.”
The report identifies three priorities for digital inclusion in the AI age:
- Treat reliable and affordable connection as essential
- Strengthen safety and trust in digital environments into the AI age
- Build authentic participation of rangatahi in shaping our digital future.
Raui says the final priority is critical to getting the first two right. “We shouldn’t just be designing a digital future for rangatahi – we need to build it with them.
“Rangatahi are experts in their own experiences and this research shows they have ideas, capability and a real appetite to contribute. Our job now is to create genuine opportunities for that voice to influence research, policy, technology and the decisions that shape their digital lives.”
Rangatahi are navigating the challenges, and want a say in the solutions
Rather than portraying young people as passive users of technology, the research found rangatahi are actively developing skills and strategies to manage their digital lives. They described learning through friends, whānau, training and their own experiences, adapting their behaviour to manage online risks and finding practical solutions when connectivity is unavailable.
Dr Ellen Strickland from Brainbox Institute, a lead researcher on the project, says one of the clearest findings was the capability rangatahi already bring to these issues. “Rangatahi gave us a remarkably nuanced picture of their digital lives. They understand that being online brings enormous benefits, while also recognising the very real challenges around access, safety, wellbeing and trust.
“What stood out was how solutions-focused they are. Young people aren’t simply waiting for adults to solve these problems for them. They’re learning, adapting their behaviour and finding ways to navigate a digital environment that is constantly changing.
“They were also very clear that they want to be genuinely involved in what happens next. If we’re designing policy, technology or online safety initiatives for young people, their lived experience needs to be part of that process from the beginning.”
AI is adding a new dimension to digital inclusion
While some rangatahi reported positive uses of AI, including helping with job applications and administrative tasks, their overall perspectives reflected considerable uncertainty about its implications for trust, learning, work and society.
Trust emerged as a particularly significant issue. Rangatahi described approaching online content and interactions with scepticism because of scams and misinformation, with generative AI adding another layer of difficulty to determining what is authentic.
The report calls for authentic involvement of rangatahi in digital policy and practice, alongside sustained investment in youth development and leadership across research, policy, education and skills.
As one of the rangatahi who participated in the research said: “there’s not a lot in the technology world that is youth-led”, with a suggestion that “every social media company needs a group of people between ages 16-30”. Another said they would like “to see more young people being authentically included in decision-making spaces.”
About the research
Connected Rangatahi: Digital Inclusion in the Age of AI was undertaken by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation and One New Zealand with research partner Brainbox Institute and youth-focused organisations across Aotearoa.
Twenty-eight rangatahi participated through one-to-one and group discussions facilitated by youth-focused partner organisations from March-July 2026. The participatory research approach drew on existing relationships between rangatahi and the organisations they work with, with partners contributing to the research process and interpretation of what was heard. The research was designed to generate practical insights grounded in the experiences and perspectives of young people themselves.
The research can be downloaded here and more information is available at one.nz.
