This paper investigates the impact of smartphone usage on multidimensional poverty reduction in rural China. Using a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) encompassing education, health, income, living standards, and labor force, the study analyzes data from 382 rural households. Results show that smartphone usage significantly reduced poverty across all levels (VMPI, GMPI, EMPI), with social capital fully mediating EMPI reduction and partially mediating VMPI and GMPI reduction. These findings inform targeted policies for rural poverty alleviation.
