The generational gap in the perception of some technologies, such as mobile phones and the Internet, has almost disappeared. More than 60% of citizens in 18 countries, including Spain, consider the Internet an ‘essential’ technology. And an overwhelming majority feel the same way about cell phones. This is evident from 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 use them to communicate, inform ourselves, entertain ourselves, guide ourselves, shop, etc. What perception is there in a society that is so depends on technology? citizens have about the technologies that surround them, and how has that perception evolved over time? Which do they consider more important and which more redundant?
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 consider their mobile phone indispensable, compared to the European average of 57%. This perception is observed across all age groups, including those aged 65 and over.
When it comes to personal computers, whether desktop or laptop, opinions are divided between those who consider it essential and those who, on the other hand, consider it a useful but unnecessary technology. Computers and the Internet are generally seen as more important among young people – which is also increasing among the highly educated – while age has little influence on 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 generation gap is disappearing in Spain
Over the past decade, digital transformation has significantly changed the perception 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, perception has also increased, although not as significantly as it was already considered essential.
Ten years ago the generation gap was much wider. Today, the generation gap is much smaller, and the majority of all age groups consider the Internet an essential technology.
The generational gap is also blurring in the appreciation for mobile phones, which has decreased significantly today, as in 2008 the percentage of those who considered the mobile phone essential among young people was three times higher than among older adults. Currently the relative difference between the two segments is very small.
Television and radio: useful, but not essential
Decentralization of radio and television in the lives of citizens is more than clear in this research. Looking at Europe, only television and radio are considered essential, 28% and 31% respectively. However, the percentages for Spaniards with regard to 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 product
Last but not least, the study analyzed the perception of transportation-related technologies. A majority considers the train to be the most accessible and least polluting collective means, followed by the car and the plane. While the importance given to the train is emphasized in the United States and Europe, the importance given to the car stands out in Turkey and Israel, and to aviation in Israel.
For Spaniards, the train is considered an essential technology by 66% of the population (slightly above the European average of 62%), while 47% consider the car essential compared to the European average of 54%.
