Differences in digital skills affect the accessibility of services
Digitalisation, i.e. the management of public services online, has changed everyday life, work and learning. At the same time as services, communication and participation are moving online, not everyone has the same capabilities to operate in digital environments.
Variation in digital and digital literacy is one of the most significant factors affecting the use of online services. In this blog post, we will explain what is meant by variation in digital skills, what factors affect the variation in digital skills, and what can be done about it.
What is variation in digital skills?
Turkish researcher Hasan Tinmaz shares the variation of digital skills three dimensions:
- Competence i.e. technical skills and the ability to use services and the ability to use the tools
- Uses i.e. how and for what purpose digital tools are used
- Attitudes and critical thinking That is, an understanding of the impact of digital media and responsible use.
According to Tinmaz, digital skills are not only a technical ability, but also the ability to understand and critically evaluate digital content. The uneven distribution of skills is one of the reasons why part of the population is excluded from the benefits and services of digitalisation.
What factors affect digital skills?
Although Almost all Finns have access to the Internet and many have a smartphone and/or computer, for example, digital skills vary a lot. Some people are fluent in using various online services, while others need support with basic functions (e.g. navigating the page structure of a website, i.e. navigation, identification, email, file management).
There are several factors that affect digital skills, such as age, socio-economic and cultural factors, as well as one's own activity and attitudes.
The impact of age on digital skills
Older people use digital services significantly less than younger people. Loretta Saikkonen's doctoral dissertation, published in 2024, shows that digital information skills tend to deteriorate as people age. Many older people find digital services, such as banking and health care, difficult or afraid of mistakes, which can lead to exclusion from the digital society. According to a study published by Päivi Rasi-Heikkinen in 2022, the importance of digital support and peer support is also emphasised from the perspective of older people, as social support and the environment, loved ones and peers in the same situation can facilitate the learning of digital skills.
Socio-economic and cultural factors
Saikkonen's study on digital skills and digital inequality found that higher education is linked to better digital skills. The digital skills of young people and adults in particular are also affected by the resources of the home background, such as devices, internet connection and parental support. In addition, people with an immigrant background, for example, may face challenges in digital skills and the use of digital services. In particular, linguistic and literacy difficulties and the lack of social networks constitute obstacles. This was found in the 2022 Digilla oppin portaille (Digital learning on the steps) project, which reviewed the digital inclusion of immigrant women and the impact of Finnish language skills.
Your own activity and attitudes
Individual activity in the use of digital devices and services and the possibility of receiving support have an impact on digital skills. According to Saikkonen's doctoral dissertation, teachers' digital information skills were linked to user activity and personal confidence in digital competence. According to Päivi Rasi-Heikkinen's research, motivation, perceived benefits and learning models also play a major role in the development of digital skills.
What can we do to reduce digital inequality?
When designing online services, applications and learning environments, it should always be taken into account that the digital capabilities of users vary greatly. Clear language, instructions, guidance and ease of use support not only less experienced but also experienced users. In other words, it is a matter of making digital environments genuinely accessible to everyone.
Accessibility can be improved, for example, by providing easy-to-use voice and translation services on the website.
The ability to listen to texts promotes digital equality, because
- if the web visitor has poor reading skills or a slowdown in reading the text, The user can listen to the content instead of having to read it visually
- The voice service can Reduces cognitive load and Makes it easier to absorb informationIf the user has challenges with their own digital skills.
The translation service, on the other hand, makes it easier to understand the services and participate in society, for example, among immigrants and multilingual users. If, in addition to the language barrier, digital skills are also poor, a clear language selection and automatic translation or support for the speech function of the translation service can remove a significant obstacle to communication and taking care of matters in the online environment.
When a website has both an audio and a translation service,
- The user can choose your own language and listen to the content aloud
- Site Supports Different ways of learning (visual, auditory)
- The site is genuinely changing Versatile and inclusive.
At its best, a voice and translation service on your website significantly improves its usability. At the same time, you show that you also appreciate those customers for whom navigating the digital world can be difficult or otherwise laborious.
Can we make your website more accessible together?
Contact us, we will be happy to tell you more.
Sources
Media education in support of well-being and inclusion.
Rasi-Heikkinen, Päivi (2022). On the margins of digitalisation: The social status of the elderly and the internet.
Saikkonen, Loretta (2024). Digital Information Literacy and Digital Inequality.
Tinmaz, Hasan et al. (2022). A systematic review on digital literacy.