The survey of 2,180 adults was designed to assess the level of
IT literacy among the British public, and found that 80% of us now
believe that computers have made a positive contribution to our
lives.
Market research firm TNS, which carried out the survey, found
that 73% of respondents using a computer did so in order to surf
the internet, while 57% used the internet to purchase goods and
services. This, according to the BCS, shows that spam, computer
viruses and on-line fraud are not damaging the computer's image too
much, but that there is in fact a growing confidence in shopping
on-line.
Concerns that computer users spend hours glued to their PC
screens were also dispelled: only 34% of those questioned use their
PC for more than five hours a week, although 12% spend over 30
hours per week in front of their computer.
David Clarke, BCS chief executive, attributed the upsurge in the
nation's computing confidence to a growing social focus on the
importance of computer literacy, backed by the upsurge in available
IT training from employers.
However, the report also highlighted the significant proportion
of adults who are in danger of being marginalised as the government
gears society up for the information age. Although 59% of
respondents have a home PC, the survey found that 26% have no
access to a PC whatsoever, whether at home, work, college or a
public library, suggesting the IT revolution is in danger of
leaving behind a quarter of the population.
"It is clear that not everyone is experiencing the benefits of
computing, despite the government's aim to ensure every home has
access to a PC. This is an area which must be addressed," warned
David Clarke.
"We see it as essential that all of society is able to use a
computer with the same confidence as the telephone," he added.
The report also found that 54% of respondents were frustrated by
the complexity of IT, while 72% were concerned about the immoral
content to be found on the internet.
Concerns over unsuitable internet material were highlighted in
another survey, published by IT consultancy Detica late last month.
That survey of 1,006 UK adults, conducted by MORI, found that 37%
of respondents were so concerned about accidentally accessing porn
and adult material via the internet that they feared they could be
prosecuted or lose their jobs as a result.
