Why poor people are often unable to engage with social media in the way others

 

Poor people often face numerous daily challenges that limit their access to and use of social media platforms like TV, reels, Facebook, and Twitter. Their lives are typically centered around immediate, pressing needs, primarily focused on securing food, shelter, and basic necessities for themselves and their families. 

1. Focus on Survival and Daily Needs

Many people living in poverty work in labor-intensive, low-paying jobs that demand long hours, often with no job security. These roles can include construction work, farming, street vending, domestic help, or factory work. The nature of these jobs means that the workers must focus their energy and time on earning a daily wage, leaving little opportunity for leisure activities like watching TV or engaging with social media.

Every day, their efforts are primarily directed toward meeting basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter. They prioritize essentials like groceries, clothing, and medical care over entertainment or luxury expenses.

2. Lack of Access to Digital Devices and Internet

Access to smartphones, televisions, computers, or reliable internet connections can be prohibitively expensive for low-income individuals and families. The cost of purchasing and maintaining devices, along with the expense of internet data, can be challenging to afford. For many, these devices are seen as luxuries rather than necessities.

Even when smartphones are accessible, the high cost of mobile data can restrict the amount of time they can spend online. People in poverty might only use their phones for essential communication and not for entertainment or social media browsing.

3. Different Priorities and Limited Time

The lifestyle of many low-income workers is structured around long work hours, often from early morning until late in the evening. After a full day of physically demanding work, they may feel too exhausted to engage with social media or watch TV, choosing instead to rest and prepare for the next day.

Family responsibilities also play a significant role. Many people in poverty work multiple jobs or spend extra hours caring for family members, leaving them with very limited free time. In their limited free moments, they may prioritize activities that bring immediate value, like preparing meals, doing household chores, or spending time with their children.

4. Financial Constraints and Digital Literacy

With limited financial resources, low-income families prioritize their spending on essentials and rarely on non-essential items or services. This is particularly true for households where every rupee or dollar is carefully allocated.

Additionally, some people in low-income brackets may not be literate or digitally savvy, which limits their ability to access online platforms or social media. Basic knowledge of how to use the internet or navigate apps is necessary to engage with digital content, and many may lack the training or resources to learn these skills.

5. Focus on Community and Real-Life Social Networks

For many poor individuals, their social lives revolve around local communities, family, and neighbors rather than digital connections. They often rely on these networks for emotional support, social gatherings, and information rather than using online platforms.

In low-income neighborhoods, personal interactions are the primary way people share information and maintain social bonds, as face-to-face communication is often more accessible and affordable than social media.

6. Stress and Mental Load

Financial hardship can place a significant mental burden on people, often resulting in high levels of stress and anxiety. For many, the mental and emotional toll of poverty can reduce the appeal of social media, which might feel trivial or out of reach.

The reality of poverty can make entertainment and social media seem less relevant to their lives, as they are often more focused on coping with immediate challenges, such as making rent payments or covering medical expenses.

7. Different Forms of Entertainment

When they do seek relaxation, low-income individuals often turn to inexpensive or free activities that are accessible within their community. These might include local festivals, religious gatherings, sports, or family events. Social media and digital platforms are not necessarily the primary sources of entertainment.

In essence, poor people are often constrained by a cycle of survival that limits their ability to engage in leisure activities like social media. Their daily focus is on the immediate needs of food, shelter, and work. While social media and digital entertainment can be valuable tools for information and connection, for many in poverty, these platforms are simply out of reach due to financial, time, and technological barriers.