World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
ICT usage among 65–74-year-olds mostly below the EU-27 average
In the first quarter of 2021, 31% of 65–74-year-olds never used the Internet and 45% were without digital skills. 48% conducted health related activities over the Internet, 27% used e-banking and 25% purchased online.
The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day has been celebrated every year since 1969, commemorating the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention on 17 May 1865 and the founding of the International Telegraph Union (ITU). In 2022, the emphasis of the day is on digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing. On 1 July 2021, more than one fifth of all residents in Slovenia were aged 65 years or more (20.9%). This part of the population can become victim of the so-called digital divide and consequently they can be excluded from the society. At the same time, it represents an opportunity for the economy – the provision of products and services that meet the needs of older people – the so-called silver economy.
To what extent do 65–74-year-olds use information-communication technologies in Slovenia?
Among 65–74-year-olds the usage of smartphones prevailed
In the first quarter of 2021, 96% of 65–74-year-olds were using mobile phones, of whom 58% smartphone and 42% mobile phone with only basic functions, e.g. possibility of making calls or sending SMS. By 2021, most of them had been using mobile phone with only basic functions (56% in 2020).
62% of 65–74-year-olds used the Internet in this period (65% in EU-27). 48% used the Internet daily (50% in EU-27), while 31% never used the Internet (28% in EU-27). Of those who never used the Internet, 56% did not use it because they had no need, 39% had no interest, while 28% lacked skills to use the computer or the Internet.
Fewer than half of 65–74-year-olds without digital skills
Active participation in the digital society requires digital skills and knowledge how to use information and communication technologies (ICT). In 2021, 45% of 65–74-year-olds had no overall digital skills (41% in EU-27). 4% had above basic overall digital skills (8% in EU-27), 15% basic (17% in EU-27), 15% low (15% in EU-27), 11% narrow (11% in EU-27) and 10% limited overall digital skills (8% in EU-27).
A review of the mastery of individual groups of digital skills shows that most of them had skills for information and data literacy and the fewest skills for the safe use of information and communication technology and data protection on the Internet.
One quarter made an online purchase in the first quarter
65–74-year-olds present a significant market potential. In the first quarter of 2021, 51% searched for information about goods and services over the Internet (42% in EU-27), 47% read online news sites, online newspapers, online news magazines (43% in EU-27) and 27% used e-banking (36% in EU-27). One quarter made at least one online purchase in this period (29% in EU-27). Of those 89% purchased online from online sellers from Slovenia, 29% from online sellers from other EU Member States and 23% from online sellers from the rest of the world.
Almost half conducted health related activities over the Internet
48% conducted health related activities over the Internet. 40% searched for health-related information, 23% made an appointment with a practitioner via a web form – 16% made an appointment with a practitioner in the hospital via a web form, e.g. via the eNaročanje application and the same share an appointment with a chosen (family) practitioner via a web form, 6% accessed personal health records online, e.g. via the zVEM portal access to electronic health data, e-prescriptions, e-referrals. 17% used other health services via a website or app instead of having to go to the hospital or visit a doctor, e.g. by getting a prescription or a consultation online.
ICT such as smart devices or systems or Internet of Things can also contribute to a better quality of life for the elderly. In the first quarter of 2020, 2% of 65–74-year-olds used smart devices for monitoring blood pressure, sugar level, body weight (e.g. smart scales) or smart devices for health and medical care, e.g. smart toothbrush, Telekom service E-oskrba, which was the same as the EU-27 average. Among EU Member States, the usage was the highest in Denmark (7%).
More than half know the purpose of cookies
We leave digital traces when using the Internet. 34% of 65–74-year-olds know that cookies can be used to trace movements of people on the Internet, to make profiles of users and service them tailored ads (46% in EU-27). 8% changed the settings in the Internet browser to prevent or limit the number of cookies put on devices (16% in EU-27). 5% used software that limits the ability to track activities on the Internet (11% in EU-27). 28% saw untrue or doubtful information or content on the Internet news sites or social media (24% in EU-27).
To what extent do 65–74-year-olds use information-communication technologies in Slovenia?
Among 65–74-year-olds the usage of smartphones prevailed
In the first quarter of 2021, 96% of 65–74-year-olds were using mobile phones, of whom 58% smartphone and 42% mobile phone with only basic functions, e.g. possibility of making calls or sending SMS. By 2021, most of them had been using mobile phone with only basic functions (56% in 2020).
62% of 65–74-year-olds used the Internet in this period (65% in EU-27). 48% used the Internet daily (50% in EU-27), while 31% never used the Internet (28% in EU-27). Of those who never used the Internet, 56% did not use it because they had no need, 39% had no interest, while 28% lacked skills to use the computer or the Internet.
Fewer than half of 65–74-year-olds without digital skills
Active participation in the digital society requires digital skills and knowledge how to use information and communication technologies (ICT). In 2021, 45% of 65–74-year-olds had no overall digital skills (41% in EU-27). 4% had above basic overall digital skills (8% in EU-27), 15% basic (17% in EU-27), 15% low (15% in EU-27), 11% narrow (11% in EU-27) and 10% limited overall digital skills (8% in EU-27).
A review of the mastery of individual groups of digital skills shows that most of them had skills for information and data literacy and the fewest skills for the safe use of information and communication technology and data protection on the Internet.
One quarter made an online purchase in the first quarter
65–74-year-olds present a significant market potential. In the first quarter of 2021, 51% searched for information about goods and services over the Internet (42% in EU-27), 47% read online news sites, online newspapers, online news magazines (43% in EU-27) and 27% used e-banking (36% in EU-27). One quarter made at least one online purchase in this period (29% in EU-27). Of those 89% purchased online from online sellers from Slovenia, 29% from online sellers from other EU Member States and 23% from online sellers from the rest of the world.
Almost half conducted health related activities over the Internet
48% conducted health related activities over the Internet. 40% searched for health-related information, 23% made an appointment with a practitioner via a web form – 16% made an appointment with a practitioner in the hospital via a web form, e.g. via the eNaročanje application and the same share an appointment with a chosen (family) practitioner via a web form, 6% accessed personal health records online, e.g. via the zVEM portal access to electronic health data, e-prescriptions, e-referrals. 17% used other health services via a website or app instead of having to go to the hospital or visit a doctor, e.g. by getting a prescription or a consultation online.
ICT such as smart devices or systems or Internet of Things can also contribute to a better quality of life for the elderly. In the first quarter of 2020, 2% of 65–74-year-olds used smart devices for monitoring blood pressure, sugar level, body weight (e.g. smart scales) or smart devices for health and medical care, e.g. smart toothbrush, Telekom service E-oskrba, which was the same as the EU-27 average. Among EU Member States, the usage was the highest in Denmark (7%).
More than half know the purpose of cookies
We leave digital traces when using the Internet. 34% of 65–74-year-olds know that cookies can be used to trace movements of people on the Internet, to make profiles of users and service them tailored ads (46% in EU-27). 8% changed the settings in the Internet browser to prevent or limit the number of cookies put on devices (16% in EU-27). 5% used software that limits the ability to track activities on the Internet (11% in EU-27). 28% saw untrue or doubtful information or content on the Internet news sites or social media (24% in EU-27).
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
