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Survey of ICT Use Shows Majority of Homes now have Personal Computer
Source: UN, 25 July 2002
Submitted by
Ann Light
RealityIT - Technology and Everyday Life - by The Work Foundation's iSociety project, sponsored by Microsoft and PricewaterhouseCoopers - is the UK's first major study into the effect of information and communication technologies (ICT) on ordinary lives. According to the figures 52% of UK adults own PCs, 74% own a mobile, and 41% of respondents live in homes with digital TV. But despite this overwhelming take-up of new technology, the survey concludes, middle England techno-tortoises are driving the UK's e-revolution.
§ 70% of 35 to 44 year olds own a PC
§ UK homes are twice as likely to have PCs than dishwashers
§ For the first time more than half of UK adults own a PC
§ Almost half of UK population now use email regularly
The UK's technical pulse is in Sevenoaks not Shoreditch, according to the research, which argues that the unassuming leaders of a massive technological revolution have been motivated by everyday needs such as childcare and cheaper car insurance. The nationwide survey of over 2000 men and women shows that, for the first time, the majority of UK homes own a desktop computer. PCs are neck and neck in family life with the tumble-drier and have far outstripped the labour-saving dishwasher.
The researchers have divided participants into groups to reflect their adoption and use of ICT. 'When it comes to technology, most of us (42%) are Quiet Pragmatists - taking a practical approach to ICT, adapting it to our everyday needs and ignoring the whizz bang appeal of sexy gizmos in favour of practicality. We use our mobiles to gossip with pals or keep tabs on our children - rather than downloading WAP weather reports,' says the survey.
It puts 'Enthusiasts' at 27%. These are people who 'find technology exciting, tend to like it for its own sake and see the internet as a necessity not a luxury'. The remaining group have been christened Aversives. Many actually own a PC and mobile phone, but complain at using them and show greater concern about issues such as internet security.
'In true British fashion, the tortoise has out-run the hare and the UK ICT revolution has been led by the sedate, understated and practical majority,' says James Crabtree, of the iSociety project. 'Instead of becoming a Borg-generation, the majority of us have remained immune to the hype surrounding the digital revolution. Our use of technology is dominated by everyday concerns - friends and family, childcare and the shopping. The new economy may have taken a beating recently, but iSociety is clearly alive and well.'
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