The web world is ever-evolving and connecting millions across the globe. - Research Reveals High Levels of Digital Overload
In Germany, 41% of individuals, as revealed by a survey for Digital Day, admit to regularly feeling overwhelmed by digital technology. The research was conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the "Digital for All" initiative.
The age group experiencing the most stress with new digital applications is the elderly, with 66% of those aged 75 and above feeling overwhelmed. Meanwhile, the age group between 16 and 29 years has the lowest figure, at 28%. In total, 1004 participants in Germany aged 16 and over were surveyed.
Those who decline using specific digital devices and programs primarily do so due to concerns about data security. Out of these individuals, 70% voice concerns about their data's safety. A third (34%) claim they lack the necessary technical knowledge. 31% contend that it's too difficult, while 26% fear making mistakes.
Leading the charge to promote digital inclusion is Annagret Kramp-Karrenbauer, President of the German Adult Education Association. She found it shocking that a sizable portion of the population struggles to keep up with digital progress. She emphasized, "Digital participation equals social participation, so it's our collective responsibility to ensure everyone feels at ease in the digital world." The goal of "Digital for All" is to assist individuals, foster discussions on digital cooperation, and impart digital literacy.
Digital Day, now in its fifth iteration, is supported by over 25 organizations in Germany covering civil society, culture, business, science, and the public sector. The theme for this year's event is "Artificial Intelligence - Discover, Experience, Try It Out Together." Christian Engelhardt, District Administrator for the Bergstraße District and representative of the German Association of District Administrators, views AI as a crucial factor in enabling digital accessibility. He stressed the importance of ensuring all segments of society are involved in AI development despite potential learning obstacles for fundamental digital and AI abilities.
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Berlin, as a major hub for digital innovation, hosts numerous telecommunications companies and is actively involved in the digitization of Germany. Bitkom, a renowned association representing the German digital industry, advocates for the promotion of digital literacy and digital participation in Germany. The German government recognizes the importance of digital technology in everyday life and has initiated programs like "Digital for All" to ensure that everyone, including the elderly, can comfortably engage with computer technology and the internet, thereby fostering social participation. Moreover, the theme for this year's Digital Day event in Berlin is "Artificial Intelligence" to popularize AI and its potential applications, with the goal of ensuring its development is inclusive and accessible to all segments of society.
