Why we still have a serious gap in online skills
Surely now everyone is doing everything on the Internet? Far from it, as I have explained in my latest column on IT issues.
Here, in the UK, there are 9.5 million people aged 15+ without basic online skills. That is 19% or almost one in five. They are more likely to be older, disabled and have low incomes. Some 4.5 million of them are of working age. Indeed 12 million adults do not use the Internet every day.
You can access all my IT columns here.
October 10th, 2014 at 8:55 am
Thanks Roger.
Following a major rebuild of the enormous shopping mall local to us, the “Medicare” shopfront did not return. For decades it has been frequented by many people putting in their Medicare claims – to receive the Government rebates for healthcare services. In particular it served the elderly, with easy access to the centre by bus and car.
There is now a temporary booth fitted with computers, where customers are instructed how to put their claim in through the internet.
I have found it distressing to pass this booth and see anxious elderly people attempting to come to terms with this significant change. Economic “efficiency” has again dominated over care and compassion.