UK Citizens Aren’t Savvy Online, Says BCS

Most British citizens don’t know how to look after themselves online, with the result that most are not taking full advantage of online services, according to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

A quarter of people are disillusioned, saying IT has not helped their lives, said the BCS, which has launched a site, SavvyCitizens, designed to help people take better care of themselves online and encourage those who are scared of the web to do more than dabble in online life.

“We hope to demonstrate the power and benefits of online services,” said Elizabeth Sparrow, president of BCS.

While government moves towards digital inclusion are focussing on the provision of broadband, a large number of users are simply refusing to go online because they don’t see a benefit or are scared, said Sparrow.

“We are educating the public about which parts of the Internet are of real value , which can improve people’s social life, cultural experience and well-being,” she said.

The site will encourage visitors to use the BCS’ Personal Data Guardianship Code and emphasise issues like using different passwords on multiple sites.