UK citizens like their PCs, but are afraid of complexity says BCS survey

The survey, undertaken to establish the level of IT literacy of the British public, found that 73% of respondents using a computer, do so to surf the Internet, thereby dismissing concerns that junk e-mail, computer viruses and on-line fraud have irreparably tarnished the computer's image as a force for good. Furthermore, 57% of those using the Internet do so to purchase goods and services, thus demonstrating a growing confidence in e-shopping.

This should be good news for e-Government, in theory, however, frustration with the complexity of IT together with concern over immoral internet content was voiced by 54 per cent and 72 per cent respectively - which cast a shadow which Government could do with changing.

Cncerns that computer users spend hours glued to their PC screens was also dispelled: only 34 per cent of those questioned use their PC for more than 5 hours a week.

David Clarke, BCS chief executive attributes the upsurge in the nation's computing confidence to a growing social focus on the importance of computer literacy, backed by the upsurge in IT training from employers. "The widespread availability of computing courses means anyone can brush up on their IT skills at any time. The BCS's European Computer Driving Licence computing skills qualification, for example, has already seen over one million candidates register as a growing number of employers demand IT user qualifications from new employees."

However, the report also highlights the significant proportion of adults who are in danger of being marginalised as the government gears society up for the information age. Although 59% of respondents have a home PC, a concerning 26% have no access to a PC whatsoever, whether at home, work, college or a public library, suggesting the IT revolution is in danger of leaving behind a quarter of the population

David Clarke concluded, "It is clear that not everyone is experiencing the benefits of computing, despite the government's aim to ensure every home has access to a PC. This is an area which must be addressed. The BCS, for example, is shortly introducing the e-Citizen training qualification which focuses purely on the PC as a communications and information access tool. We see it as essential that all of society is able to use a computer with the same confidence as the telephone."

The survey was commissioned by the British Computer Society and conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres, one of the world's leading market information companies. A representative sample of 2,180 British adults were interviewed face-to-face during the period 28 May - 2 June 2004.

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A copy of the survey results can be found at this link