Digital illiteracy, a new socio-economic divide
In a world where businesses and public authorities are digitalizing more quickly than citizens, the digital divide distinguishes those who have or do not have access to digital resources, as well as those who have or do not master their use.
Too many Belgians are still helpless in front of a computer or do not have access to the internet and face many difficulties: carrying out administrative procedures, reading an email, writing a CV, looking for a job or accommodation, etc.
The survey reveals in particular that 40% of Belgian families are unable to use Tax-on-web, 50% are unable to fill out forms online to obtain social benefits, and in almost as many households, no one is able to pay bills online.
This lack of knowledge generates a new form of social exclusion for many families deprived of their right to information or to certain services.
As digital technology has taken over our daily lives, the Ligue des familles and Gezinsbond are calling for a fight against digital illiteracy and urging all stakeholders to invest in developing the population’s computer and internet skills and to guarantee sufficient alternatives to the many people who have not made the digital leap.
Here are the results of the survey:
- 14% of the Belgian population does not have a computer or internet
- 1 in 3 Belgians do not know how to use a word processor
- 1 in 5 are unable to send or receive emails
- 1 in 7 is unable to surf the Internet
- 1 in 2 Belgians (49%) do not know how to protect their personal data against hackers, and almost as many (46%) do not know how to install an antivirus, while detecting and erasing a virus seems even more difficult (53% of respondents)
- In 1 in 4 families, no one is able to pay with a debit or credit card, and in 1 in 5 households, to make an online transfer
- 4 out of 10 households feel unable to complete their online declaration with Tax-on-web or fill out an online form in order to benefit from social benefits
