Illectronism: 57% of over 70s are not comfortable with digital formats


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A survey regarding Illectronism (Illectornisme in french) conducted by the CSA  in France for the Social Press Union in March 2018 reveals that 57% of over people 70-year-old are not comfortable with digital formats.

If one of your elderly relatives categorically refuses to use the internet in his daily life, he may be one of those seniors who suffer from Illectronism. And if you helped him tame the digital?

What are we talking about?

Illiteracy comes across very easily, but Illectronism, does that speak to you? They are actually the same thing, in this particular case, taken to the field of computing. Illectronism is applied to people who have a lack of computer-related skills. Those skills that enable us to use and create electronic resources.

According to the survey carried out in France, people older than 70:

  • do not feel comfortable with computers (57%).
  • 31% of them have renounced to do something during the last 12 months, only because it involved using the internet.
  • Out of those who do surf the internet, 78% find the navigation easy and only 20% find it complicated.
  • 30% of them they would like to master computer skills.
  • 42% of them feel they are not aligned with their acquaintances.

What do people aged 70 or older renounce to when they neglect new technologies?

  • 49% of purchases related to leisure
  • 26% of administrative procedures
  • 8% of information rechearches
  • 7% of ongoing relationships

Where do they show difficulties?

  • Text processing 48%
  • Internet surfing 45%
  • Saving documents 36%
  • Printing or scanning 35%
  • Sending documents via e-mail 35%

57% of 70+ year old people have never asked for help. However those who did need (41%), asked for help to:

  • Family members 71%
  • Friends 35%
  • Associations or organisations 21%
  • Other people 10%
  • A colleague 3%

Seniors hit by Illectronism

The over 70s are particularly affected by illectronism. However, 31% of them would like to have better digital skills, while 42% of them feel a lack of alignment with their entourage.

86% of them own a digital device, but only 38% find it easy to use it, and 45% of them have daily difficulties to search the internet.

However, there are many ways to reduce this digital divide, for instance, with help from students or companies.

Read also: Silver Surfers : what EU countries account for the largest number of connected seniors?


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