The generational gap in the perception of some technologies, such as mobile phones and the Internet, has practically disappeared. More than 60% of citizens in 18 countries, including Spain, consider the Internet as an “essential” technology. And an overwhelming majority think the same about mobile phones. This is according to a recent study on Scientific Culture by the BBVA Foundation, conducted in 18 European countries and three other societies with different profiles: the United States, Israel, and Turkey.
Since we wake up until we go to sleep, electronic devices are always close to us, and we resort to them to communicate, inform ourselves, entertain ourselves, guide ourselves, shop, etc. In a society so dependent on technology, what perception do citizens have about the technologies that surround them and how has that perception evolved over time? Which ones do they consider more essential and which ones more dispensable?
The value of the mobile phone is intergenerational
66% of Spaniards consider the Internet essential, a slightly higher figure than the European average (61%), while 52% of Spaniards value their mobile phones as indispensable, compared to the 57% European average. This perception is observed across all age groups, including those 65 years and older.
When it comes to personal computers, whether desktop or laptop, opinions are divided between those who believe it to be essential and those who, on the other hand, consider it a useful but dispensable technology. Computers and the Internet tend to be perceived as more essential among the youth – which also increases among those with higher levels of education – while age barely influences the perception of mobile phones.
Specifically, 66% of young people across Europe, 54% in Spain, and 73% of Americans consider a personal computer essential, compared to much lower percentages (35%, 33%, and 34% respectively) among those over 65.
The generational gap disappears in Spain
In the last decade, digital transformation has substantially altered perceptions of different technologies in Spain. The percentage of Spaniards who consider the Internet essential has increased by almost 300% since 2008, and by 100% in the case of personal computers. Regarding mobile phones, the perception has also increased, although not as significantly since it was already considered essential.
A decade ago, the generation gap was much wider. Today, the generation gap is much smaller, and the majority in all age groups consider the Internet to be an essential technology.
The generation gap is also fading in the appreciation of mobile phones, which has significantly decreased today, considering that in 2008 the percentage of those who considered the mobile phone essential was three times higher among young people than among older adults. Currently, the relative difference between both segments is very small.
Television and radio: useful, but not essential
Decentralization of radio and television in the lives of citizens is more than evident in this study. Looking at Europe, only television and radio are considered essential, at 28% and 31% respectively. However, the percentages for Spaniards regarding these two traditional media are even lower: 18% and 23%. Nevertheless, access to such content remains high, but now it is consumed through various platforms and electronic devices.
The most accessible and least polluting means
For Spaniards, the train is considered an essential technology by 66% of the population (slightly above the European average of 62%), while 47% view the car as essential compared to the European average of 54%.
