The Digital Divide in Germany
The German INITI@TIVE D21 has published a report titled: Die digitale Gesellschaft in Deutschland – Sechs Nutzertypen im Vergleich (The digital society in Germany – Six types of users compared).
“This new digital divide runs not only along a boundary facilities, but is defined in terms of expertise, knowledge, variety and intensity as well as attitudes towards digital media. On this basis, can be explained by the typology of the German reflect an accurate picture of the digital society in Germany. Six groups were identified.
The digital outsiders (35 percent share of the total population), digital outsiders are the largest and with an average age of 62.4 years, the oldest group. Compared to the other types they have the least potential for digital, computer and Internet use the smallest and the most negative attitudes towards digital issues. Only a quarter have the digital infrastructure from a basic equipment (computers and printers). Skills in dealing with the digital media are therefore scarce. Even terms such as e-mail, operating system or web site are the digital outsiders largely unknown and only a fifth of the digital outsider is able to find on the Internet to law.
The occasional users (30 percent)
The casual users are on average 41.9 years old. Take in comparison to the digital outsiders, at least in part to the action part in the digital society. 98 percent own a PC or notebook, three quarters already a digital camera. Fits to almost all the opportunity to spend time with computer and Internet users – especially for private purposes. The casual user is already familiar with many basic concepts of the digital world, but especially in safety a great backlog. Overall, this guy clearly recognizes the benefits of the Internet, but does not promote its further development and preferably more traditional media.
The professional users (nine percent)
Average 42.2 years old, this group has the highest proportion of professionals. Compared to the occasional users, the professional users a much better digital infrastructure in their workplace and use accordingly there above average Internet. However, the private use is slightly below the level of casual user. The diversity of use of the professional user rather limited useful applications such as email or word processing.
The trend users (Eleven percent)
This group has both the highest male (78 percent) and students share (13 percent). The average age of 35.9 years trend user is relatively young. If the trend often users a full range of digital devices is available. The trend is clearly secondary computer. The members of this group have extensive expertise on the computer and are familiar with a few exceptions, well into the digital world. The trend users address particularly like Web 2.0 applications and to recognize the great advantages of digital media for themselves.
The digital professionals (12 percent)
The average professional digital is 36.1 years old, mostly male and employed. This type has both at home and in the office on a very good digital infrastructure. His skills are extensive, as reflected particularly in their professional skills. Whether macro programming, spreadsheet, digital pro feels at home in this complex terrain.
Rarely, the digital professionals looking compared to the trend of users and the avant-garde digital diversion in the digital world, or use them for self. When using diversity, therefore, are useful applications, such as Online shopping, price search and read news, in the foreground.
The digital avant-garde (three percent)
The youngest group (average age 30.5 years) simultaneously with three percent, the smallest group. The digital avant-garde, while a rather low income and often lives in a single household. Your digital infrastructure leaves little to be desired. Striking here are the high mobile and Internet business.
In all areas in which the digital avant-garde with very high skills and forms with complex topics, the head of the digital society. Your knowledge about the digital world, however, is not quite as pronounced as in the digital professionals. More by “trial and error” rather than reading manuals suited to the digital avant-garde of his skills. From the digital media can be from this group hardly an average of eleven hours, they spend a day at the computer. Besides the work, therefore, the leisure behavior is often determined by digital media.
“This study is the first time an instrument available with which to measure accurately in the next few years, the development of the digital society in Germany. Particularly with regard to their own activities for the digital society, the Initiative D21 to make it clear that the wait will not lead to changes alone to the goal. Only to individual groups is needed, Germany can better meet the challenges of the digital world in the 21st St century,” said Robert A. Wieland, a member of the D21-full board and managing director of TNS GmbH, the results for the digital society.”
The German INITI@TIVE D21 has published a report titled: Die digitale Gesellschaft in Deutschland – Sechs Nutzertypen im Vergleich (The digital society in Germany – Six types of users compared).
The press release titled: Studie: Große Mehrheit der Deutschen ist nicht Teil der digitalen Gesellschaft (Study: Large majority of Germans is not part of the digital society) states
