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08/09/2004
Britain is a nation of computer buffs, says survey
Britain has become a country of computer buffs, with about three quarters of the adult population able to demonstrate some experience through access to a computer at home or work, according to a recent British Computer Society (BCS) survey.
The research on the nation's computing habits have revealed that found that eight-in-10 adults now believe that computers have made a "positive contribution to our lives".
The survey, based on the views of 2,180 adults and undertaken to establish the level of IT literacy of the British public, found that 73% of respondents using a computer do so to surf the internet. And 57% of those using the internet do so to purchase goods and services, so "demonstrating a growing confidence in e-shopping".
The BCS said that the results invalidated concerns that junk email, computer viruses and on-line fraud had "irreparably tarnished the computer's image as a force for good".
However, frustration with the complexity of IT together with concern over immoral internet content was voiced by 54% and 72% respectively.
David Clarke, BCS chief executive, said: "The widespread availability of computing courses means anyone can brush up on their IT skills at any time. The BCS's European Computer Driving Licence computing skills qualification, for example, has already seen over one million candidates register as a growing number of employers demand IT user qualifications from new employees."
The BCS also voiced concerns that the IT revolution was in danger of leaving a significant proportion of the population behind as 26% reported having no access to a PC - whether through home, work, college or a public library.
(gmcg)
The research on the nation's computing habits have revealed that found that eight-in-10 adults now believe that computers have made a "positive contribution to our lives".
The survey, based on the views of 2,180 adults and undertaken to establish the level of IT literacy of the British public, found that 73% of respondents using a computer do so to surf the internet. And 57% of those using the internet do so to purchase goods and services, so "demonstrating a growing confidence in e-shopping".
The BCS said that the results invalidated concerns that junk email, computer viruses and on-line fraud had "irreparably tarnished the computer's image as a force for good".
However, frustration with the complexity of IT together with concern over immoral internet content was voiced by 54% and 72% respectively.
David Clarke, BCS chief executive, said: "The widespread availability of computing courses means anyone can brush up on their IT skills at any time. The BCS's European Computer Driving Licence computing skills qualification, for example, has already seen over one million candidates register as a growing number of employers demand IT user qualifications from new employees."
The BCS also voiced concerns that the IT revolution was in danger of leaving a significant proportion of the population behind as 26% reported having no access to a PC - whether through home, work, college or a public library.
(gmcg)
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