Before the end of the year, the University of Amsterdam will start a study on the digital awareness of the Dutch, commissioned by the Rijksoverheid . In addition to a baseline measurement, the researchers must also devise a monitoring mechanism that measures digital awareness. In addition, they will map which measures can stimulate awareness, writes State Secretary of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops in a letter to the Lower House.
The corona pandemic clearly shows how dependent we are on digital tools in our daily lives. We are not only talking about school and work, but also maintaining social contacts, shopping and arranging all kinds of things online. The government is increasingly using digital tools to connect with citizens. "For the digitale overheid , this means that services must be user-friendly, accessible and understandable," writes State Secretary Knops.
In the Digital Inclusion 2020 progress letter, the secretary of state describes what the Rijksoverheid government has done over the past year to digitally engage citizens in its services. A poll of 4,080 citizens and entrepreneurs shows that 71 percent are satisfied with the quality of current government services. Last year, the figure was 61 percent. About one in seven respondents (15 percent) said they are not satisfied with the digital services provided by the Rijksoverheid. In 2019, the figure was 25 percent. The figures clearly show that citizens are appreciative of government services.
Knops writes in the letter that digital skills are indispensable in today's society in order to participate. Mastery of basic language, math and digital skills is essential. Therefore, the government invests until 2024 an annual amount of 25 million euros in the action program Counting with Language to improve these skills among citizens. In addition, municipalities will receive an annual structural budget of 60 million euros for adult education and an amount of 5 to 7 million euros to take the lead in this. To address low literacy, the Basic Skills Expertise Point was launched in October 2020. Municipalities, health professionals and volunteers can go here to seek advice in tackling illiteracy.
People who have difficulty using government digital services have launched a variety of initiatives to help them do so. The Digitale Overheid Information Point at libraries helps these people find information about public service providers such as the Tax Office, Social Insurance Bank and the UWV. As of July 2019, 53 such information points have been opened at libraries. By the end of 2021, the Secretary of State wants 120 libraries to have such an information point.
Research by Motivaction International shows that the Dutch are well informed about digital and online security. They give their knowledge on this subject a high enough rating. A survey by provider XS4ALL paints a different picture. In it, respondents say their level of knowledge about cybersecurity and privacy is not too good. For example, 41 percent do not know what a DDoS attack is and 81 percent have never heard of the term botnet.
People not only need to become more digitally competent to get along in society. They must also be made aware of the dangers and risks of the Internet. To this end, the Safe Online module was launched in October. This module helps people who are less digitally literate to take their first steps online safely, by making them aware of possible online risks.
In addition to online dangers or risks, the opportunities of the Internet are also part of digital awareness. "Knowledge of such opportunities is essential in countering existing social inequalities," said State Secretary Knops. Before the end of the year, he will launch an informational film pointing citizens to the opportunities of the Internet for their daily lives.
For people who are not yet active on the Internet, digital awareness is an important incentive to learn digital skills. However, the government has too little insight into the extent to which the Netherlands is digitally aware. Therefore, the University of Amsterdam is conducting a two-year study into the digital awareness of the Dutch. The researchers are conducting a so-called baseline measurement, mapping the starting point. This will allow researchers to see how digital awareness is evolving. They are also working on interventions to stimulate awareness. The study will start at the end of 2020.
To create an inclusive digital society, the Digital Society Alliance has been established. This is a public-private partnership that organizes activities to get citizens more involved in digital services. In the coming years, the Alliance will focus on feed target groups: seniors, working people with "technostress," 18-year-olds and educators and children. "With representatives of these groups and involved parties, action plans will be implemented that address the specific problems and needs of these groups," said State Secretary Knops.
Finally, there is the action #allemaaldigitaal. The #allemaaldigitaal campaign collects used laptops and tablets from companies, social organizations and the government. These devices are made suitable for reuse and benefit people who are unable to purchase a device themselves. This enables these people to learn, work and maintain contacts digitally. To help people with the (safe) use of a laptop or tablet, a DigiHulpline has been opened. According to Knops, mainly older people are currently using the helpline.
Read the Parliamentary letter from State Secretary Knops 'Progress on digital inclusion 2020' here
