Featured Image Credit: Navi Global
Topics: Elon Musk, Technology
Gerrard Kaonga
A Tribe leader released a frustrated video on Instagram to address claims his tribe is now addicted to porn after getting access to the internet
Technology can be a wondrous thing, but it does come with its drawbacks, something a remote Amazon tribe quickly learned.
According to United Nations, there over 476 million indigenous people living in 90 countries across the world.
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Many live an isolated life away from the rest of civilisation, but one tribe has become increasingly more connected to society after gaining access to the internet.
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In September of last year, the Marubo people - whose huts are scattered hundreds of miles along the Ituí River deep in the Amazon rainforest - were gifted with access to Elon Musk-founded internet provider, Starlink.
As you can imagine, it became immediately helpful, as it allowed tribesman and women to connect with people in other communities far away. Beyond that it also proved helpful in emergency situations, like getting help out to the village after venomous snake bites.
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However, not long after their came claims that the tribe faced quite a downside to the internet, a growing addiction to porn.
A New York Times article in early June highlighted comments from one Marubo leader, Enoque Marubo, who complained young people had been using it to share X-rated videos in group chats and admitted his concerns that young members having access to things such as pornography.
However, since the article, Marubo has refuted the claims that young people have become addicted to pornography.
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Writing on Instagram on June 10, he said: “I am here to repudiate the fake news that has been circulating around the world in the last week, alleging that the entry of the internet into our communities has resulted in addiction to pornography,” he said.
“These statements are unfounded, false and only reflect a biased ideological current that disrespects our autonomy and identity.”
He also took issue with the New York Times for focusing on the negatives and argued it painted a distorted and damaging view of the people.
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“I want to reiterate the repudiation [of] all these publications of unfounded lies that appeared on the internet,”
He also condemned ‘non-Indigenous or white people’ who attempt to dictate what is best for Indigenous communities, stating: "It hurts us, disrespects us, disrespects Indigenous peoples."
The New York Times has defended its reporting and argued other media outlets had sensationalized the story. “No, a remote Amazon tribe did not get addicted to porn,” read a follow-up headline from the newspaper later on June 10.