High-speed internet access provided by Elon Musk’s Starlink to the Marubo people, an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest, has had detrimental effects after just nine months.
Last September, Musk’s company gifted 20 internet satellites to the Marubo community, consisting of around two thousand individuals who had lived in relative isolation along the Itui River for centuries.
Allyson Reneau, a prominent American philanthropist and graduate of the NASA-sponsored International Space University, ventured into the heart of the rainforest in mid-2023 to assist in setting up the Starlink devices. However, recent reports indicate negative consequences following internet exposure.
Alfredo Marubo, leader of a Marubo association of villages, voiced concerns to the New York Times, highlighting a rise in laziness among tribe members, who now spend their days on smartphones gossiping on WhatsApp or chatting with strangers on Instagram.
More troublingly, there are reports of aggressive sexual behavior among young tribesmen, attributed to excessive exposure to pornography. Alfredo Marubo noted a breakdown in familial and community relationships, with members neglecting their families since gaining internet access. This shift towards overtly sexual behavior contradicts traditional customs, such as the taboo against public displays of affection.
Tsainama Marubo, a 73-year-old tribe elder, lamented the deterioration of village life, stating that while initial excitement surrounded internet arrival, the situation has since worsened. To address these issues, tribe leaders implemented restrictions on internet usage, allowing two hours in the morning, five hours in the afternoon, and unlimited access on Sundays.
Despite the positive aspect of improved access to medical assistance, facilitated by Starlink satellites, concerns remain about the erosion of indigenous culture. Other communities in the Amazon basin have similarly experienced disruptions from internet exposure, with indigenous people consuming foreign media and engaging in online gambling.
The Marubo tribe’s leaders hope that these restrictions will mitigate the negative impacts of internet access and preserve their community’s traditional way of life.
