Some villages in the Lomaiviti Group are now switching off Starlink internet services after midnight to stop young people staying awake all night on their phones and neglecting daily responsibilities such as farming and fishing.
This was highlighted by Lomaiviti Provincial Council Chair Samuela Vadei while speaking to fijivillage News during the Lomaiviti Provincial Council meeting at the Civic Centre in Suva.
Vadei says while internet access and new technology bring major benefits for education, business and communication, they also come with growing social challenges for village communities.
He says one village has already introduced a rule to switch off its Starlink service from midnight until early morning to ensure children, mothers and young men get enough rest and maintain normal daily routines.
Insert: Vadei - Turning off Starlink in Gau May 28
According to Vadei, some villagers have been staying awake until 2am or 3am using their phones, leading to people waking up late and becoming too tired or unmotivated to go farming, fishing or carry out village duties.
He says village leaders are now having to adapt to the rapid arrival of technology and learn how to properly manage its impact on communities.
Vadei stressed that internet services are not the problem themselves, but rather how people choose to use them.
He says Government has continued expanding telecommunications access in rural areas, with 15 new sites recently installed and more planned, while Starlink services are also expected to be introduced more widely.
However, he says communities must be educated on responsible internet use, particularly among students and young people, warning that uncontrolled use can expose children to crime, harmful behaviour and other negative influences online.
