(N)Onliner-Atlas and D21-Digital-Index Shed Light on Digitalization Trends in Germany

• 76.5 % of the German population uses the internet

• The level of digitalization has increased only slightly compared to 2012

• Differences between age groups are noticeable

• Access and openness to digitalization are widespread while digital competence and diversity of usage are less developed

• The digitalization of society is dependent on further measures

The (N)Onliner-Atlas/D21-Digital-Index published last week shows the development of digitalization in German society for the years 2012 and 2013. While 75.6% of the population was online in 2012, in 2013 it is now 76.5%. While the degree of internet usage continues to rise, the increases since the beginning of data collection in 2001 have been minimal.

If we take a closer look at the data, the differences in the development become more apparent. The degree of usage among the younger part of the population is very high: Among 14-to-39-year-olds, the share of internet users is clearly above 90% and has increased only slightly from 2012 to 2013. The group of 60-to-69-year-old internet users has grown most noticeably from 60.4% to 63.7%.

Furthermore, the reasons of “offliners” and “usage planners” for their adverse and/or cautious positions are enlightening. Among offliners, 66.3% cite data protection concerns as the most important reason for their refusal to use the internet. In the group of usage planners, these conerns play a role for 80.2% of those surveyed. Insecurity, lack of experience, and fear of contact are also listed as important reasons by these groups.

A differentiated picture also emerges if we distinguish between access to, diversity of, competence in, and openness toward digital usage. While many people have access to digital media and are open to digital topics, a great deal of improvement is required when it comes to technical and media competence and especially in regard to the diversity of ways of using the internet in order to increase the quality of the digitalization of society (image).

In general, with nearly a quarter of the population still not using the internet, the digital division of society is not decreasing as much as is politically and economically desired and as is required in comparison to other countries. The civil society level of information, innovative ability in business and indirectly with it the economic benefit of the internet, are all dependent on the strengthening of digitalization, particularly in regard to the diversity of and competence in usage. The study provides a foundation for decision-makers in politics and business to undertake goal-oriented measures in order to strengthen digitalization in Germany.

Initiative D21/TNS Infratest, (N)ONLINER-Atlas, D21-Digital-Index
http://www.initiatived21.de/publikationen

Download Study (N)Onliner-Atlas/D-21-Digital-Index
http://www.initiatived21.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/digitalindex.pdf