53 per cent of Brits say ‘technology today is too complex’

Britain in danger of becoming the ‘tech illiterates of the world’

Technology marches on with new and advanced products hitting the high-street daily. However, even with today’s reliance on computers and mobile phones, over half (53 per cent) of Brits feel that modern technology has now become too complicated and could turn their back on technology, according to the latest report from PayPal, the online payments provider.

Whilst Brits are in some cases using some of the new technological advances, many still have no more than a basic understanding of them. The age old problem of setting a video recorder still exists for one in three Brits, even though they have been in the mainstream for 27 years. DVDs offer a more complex challenge with four in five (77 per cent) not feeling confident to set one to record. Also, mobile phones are now ubiquitous, yet many remain baffled by their features. The majority, almost two thirds (61 per cent), use only four features on their mobile phone - calls, text messages, alarm clock and camera - while two fifths don’t even know if their mobile phone has a camera function.

The figures from the report are worrying and need to change if Britain is to keep up with the rest of the world. PayPal has recognised this need and today launches a website dedicated to testing and improving the UK’s tech knowledge or ‘TQ’.

Neil Edwards, PayPal’s technology expert comments: "It’s a worrying sign for Britain that so many of us are baffled and therefore turned off by technology. There’s no hiding from technology so burying your head in the sand won’t make it go away. We all must embrace technology or risk becoming the tech illiterates of the world."

The findings demonstrate that technology is increasingly pervading our lives with 70% now regularly using a computer, almost three quarters (74%) a mobile phone, and 77% a DVD player or recorder. There has, however, been less widespread adoption of ‘newer’ technologies with a quarter (27%) regularly using an MP3 player and only 3% a BlackBerry.

Generational differences are highlighted with 93 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using a computer compared with 42 per cent of those aged over 55. The discrepancy is even greater for ‘newer’ technologies, with 70 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using an MP3 player compared with 36 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds and just 11 per cent of those aged over 45.

The research also shows that women lag behind men in their use of technology with only two thirds (66 per cent) of women regularly using a computer compared with 74 per cent of men. A third more men than women regularly use an MP3 player. Mobile phones, however, are equally popular with both sexes.

The extent to which people have adopted technology also differs greatly across the UK. Only 52 per cent of people in Wales regularly use a computer and only 58 per cent regularly use a mobile phone compared with Greater London where the proportion is 81 per cent and 83 per cent respectively.

Neil Edwards says: "Since its online launch in 1998, PayPal has been at the forefront of the internet revolution thanks to its unique technology. We are constantly innovating but understand that the success of new technologies depends on adoption, which means that people must be comfortable using them.

"PayPal recognises that the unknown can be daunting and has therefore launched www.whatisyourtq.com to encourage as much learning as possible whilst allowing users to test and compare how their existing knowledge stands. Some people may be shocked!"

The study also asked people to rate themselves in terms of computer literacy. The table below shows the degree to which people’s confidence in their technology know-how varies, according to gender, age and whether the respondent has children. Test and improve your own technological know-how (TQ) with new online tooL