4.3 million Italians are still without a network connection. This was stated in a new report by Censis which, in collaboration with Lenovo, has drawn up "The digital life of Italians", a report that photographs the current state of the use of technology in our country. If 13.2 million Italians have to deal with slow or malfunctioning home connections, 22.7 million complain of some discomfort at home during digital activities, due to overcrowded rooms (14.7 million) or the need to share devices with their family members (12.4 million). "We are at the dawn of a new digital transition. Now we need a project of a fully inclusive society, which can answer the still unsatisfied demand for devices, connections, skills, and overcome differences in access"explained Massimiliano Valerii, General Manager of Censis.
To date, there are 24 million Italians who do not feel fully at ease in the digital ecosystem: 9 million have difficulties with instant messaging platforms, 8 million with e-mail, as many with social networks and 7 million with browsing on websites and platforms that allow you to stream sports events. 5 million do not know how to make an online payment and 4 million are not familiar with the use of apps and platforms for video calls and virtual meetings. But for those who can navigate without too many problems, the benefits of using smartphones and PCs are tangible: 9 out of 10 respondents say they are satisfied with the devices they use, considered in line with the daily activities.
73% of the sample lives in families where each member connects with their own instrument, without having to share it, 67.9% resides in homes where everyone has a space dedicated to their 'digital life' and 69.4% feels safe when making payments or other financial transactions online. 55% of Italians are convinced that life as a couple has benefited from the opportunities offered by digital devices. But if 42.7% show great trust in their partner, 7 million reveal that they have felt jealous because of the other's social interactions and 6 million who spy on their online activities. There is a certain expectation for a new era of innovation that may also involve the Public Administration. 85,3% of citizens hope that in the near future they will be able to communicate via e-mail with public offices, 85% that documents and certificates can be requested online, 83.2% that they can pay on the internet quickly and easily taxes, bulletins and fines. 78.9% expect to receive personalized information via e-mail, sms or WhatsApp messages.
So much simplification but without forgetting data protection: 76.4% would like to know the personal information available to the PA, so as to avoid unnecessary duplication, 75% would like to communicate via PEC in the utmost confidentiality, 74% would like to be able to access all online services with a single password. The pandemic has created 'hybrid' ways of using digital tools that, for Censis and Lenovo, need to be monitored. The reference is to 66% of those who use the same personal device, smartphone and / or computer, even for work and to 26.9% who use company electronic devices for personal reasons, underestimating the risks for security and privacy. "This is why we need to focus on smarter technologies," said Emanuele Baldi, Executive Director of Lenovo Italy."We want to refine innovations further, to contribute to a more connected, secure and inclusive digital society."