Brits are confident using Facebook and email – but many are stumped when it comes to more complex tasks, like booking medical appointments or making a video call. Using PowerPoint, photo-editing tools, and playing on a games console, are other tasks people struggle to do online.
A poll of 2,000 adults found only 54 percent consider themselves “tech savvy”, while 43 percent feel there are so many apps, online platforms, and software, they can’t keep up with them – which rises to 58 percent of people aged 65 or over.
And 38 percent said they face challenges because of their lack of tech skills, resulting in more than a fifth (21 percent) feeling like they’re being left behind.
Meanwhile, 14 percent even said there have been points in their lives where they could have considered themselves “digitally illiterate”.
To help the nation learn and improve its digital skills, Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, are hosting hundreds of free workshops across the UK to mark “Get Online Week”, from October 16-22.
Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We know for many people technology can be daunting – especially with new apps, online services, and tools like AI appearing all the time.
“It can be hard to know where to get help with computers, phones, and tablets, and how to get the best from the internet.
“That’s why, as part of our goal to improve the digital skills of six million people by the end of 2025, we’re offering hundreds of free digital skills lessons.
“We want to help people feel more confident and capable online – whether it’s learning how to book online medical appointments, uploading a CV to a jobs site, or video calling a loved one.”
The study also found more than a third (37 percent) of Brits believe learning digital skills is more important than being able to read or write.
But three in ten (29 percent) said they had never had someone show them how to improve their digital skills.
And 20 percent feel they missed out on an opportunity to learn how to do a basic online task – and it’s now too late to learn.
According to the OnePoll.com figures, of those who have struggled with a piece of technology, 17 percent report it has slowed down their life, and made it inconvenient.
And those in low-income households – earning between £15,000 to £30,000 – said they’d struggle to use AI tools like Chat GPT (39 percent), or take part in a virtual job interview (22 percent), while one in ten aren’t comfortable using a tablet.
Despite this, almost a quarter (23 percent) are motivated to learn so they can improve their digital skills.
Helen Milner OBE, CEO of Good Things Foundation, said: “Since the pandemic we’ve seen the digital divide deepen.
“People excluded from the internet are locked out of all of the economic benefits it brings – like saving money, improved job prospects, and the ability to work flexibly – as well as the higher risk of loneliness.
“This research confirms what we already know about the digital skills gap, with one in five adults lacking the most basic digital skills needed for everyday life.
“That’s why during our annual national campaign, Get Online Week, the National Digital Inclusion Network is hosting events for their local communities to help them get online.
“This underpins the wider work Good Things Foundation is doing with Virgin Media O2 and our partners to get data, devices, and digital skills to the people who need help the most. Together we can help fix the digital divide – for good.”