Usage of internet in households and by individuals, 2023
Almost three quarters of young individuals have seen untrue or doubtful information or content on the Internet
In the first quarter of 2023, 85% of individuals aged 16–74 years used the Internet several times a day. More than half saw untrue or doubtful information or content on Internet news sites or social media, and 44% encountered hostile or degrading messages towards groups of people or individuals.
More than half of the elderly used the Internet several times a day
In the first quarter of this year, 90% of individuals (in 2022: 89%) aged between 16 and 74 (hereinafter: residents) used the Internet, 87% every day or almost every day (in 2022: 86%) and 85% several times a day. The majority of these were among young people, i.e. 16–24-year-olds (99%) and the fewest in the 65–74 age group (55%; in 2022: 51%). 8% of residents have never used the Internet (in 2022: 9%).
The smartphone was most frequently used to access the Internet (87%) – all 16–34-year-olds and 56% of 65–74 year olds (in 2021: 49%). 47% of residents accessed the Internet via laptop, 35% via desktop computer, 18% via tablet and the same share via other devices, e.g. smart TV, smart speaker, game console, e-reader.
94% of households with at least one resident had access to the Internet at home (in 2022: 93%).
77% of residents used the Internet to find information about goods or services, 69% to read online news, newspapers or magazines, 63% participated in social networks, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and 61% for e-banking services. A fifth (20%) of residents expressed (posted or liked) opinions on civic or political issues.
57% made calls or video calls via programs such as Skype, Zoom, Viber, and 51% were seeking health-related information on the Internet. Compared to 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, both usage shares decreased.
More than half of residents have seen untrue or doubtful information or content on the Internet
53% of residents (about 826,820) saw untrue or doubtful information or content on news sites or social media, e.g. text, video, image. Among young individuals, 73% saw such information or content.
Of those who saw untrue or doubtful information or content, 36% (about 295,450) checked its truthfulness. Most of them were among the young (50%) and the fewest among 55–64-year-olds (23%).
The truthfulness of the untrue or doubtful information or content was checked by the mentioned users in different ways (multiple answers were possible). Most frequently, in 78%, they checked sources or found other information, e.g. on other news site or Wikipedia. 38% of them used other, offline sources or discussed the information with other people, but not on the Internet, and 34% followed or took part in a discussion regarding such information on the Internet.
The remaining 64% of residents (or around 531,370) who saw untrue or doubtful information or content on news sites or social media have not checked their truthfulness. The reasons for this were diverse (multiple answers were possible). Almost half of them already knew that the information, content or source was unreliable (71%), 16% of them lacked skills or knowledge (e.g. they did not know how to check the information on the Internet or it was too complicated for them), and 21% did not check their truthfulness for other reasons.
Individuals most frequently the target of hostile or degrading messages on the Internet because of their political or social views
Untrue information and hate speech have become a part of online content and social media. In the first quarter, 44% of residents encountered hostile or degrading messages on the Internet towards groups of people or individuals, e.g. in social media, blogs, videos, on news sites (also in comments sections). The share was the largest in the age groups 25–34 years (57%) and 16–24 years (53%), and the smallest in the 65–74 age group (26%).
Among those who encountered the mentioned hostile messages, most noticed that individuals or groups of people were targeted because of their political or social views (81%). Almost half (45%) considered that they had been targeted because of their sexual orientation (LGBTIQ+), 43% because of their race or ethnic origin and 42% because of their religious beliefs.
Tables with the latest data on the Internet usage and untrue information and hostile messages, also by statistical regions, are available in the SiStat Database.
In the first quarter of this year, 90% of individuals (in 2022: 89%) aged between 16 and 74 (hereinafter: residents) used the Internet, 87% every day or almost every day (in 2022: 86%) and 85% several times a day. The majority of these were among young people, i.e. 16–24-year-olds (99%) and the fewest in the 65–74 age group (55%; in 2022: 51%). 8% of residents have never used the Internet (in 2022: 9%).
The smartphone was most frequently used to access the Internet (87%) – all 16–34-year-olds and 56% of 65–74 year olds (in 2021: 49%). 47% of residents accessed the Internet via laptop, 35% via desktop computer, 18% via tablet and the same share via other devices, e.g. smart TV, smart speaker, game console, e-reader.
94% of households with at least one resident had access to the Internet at home (in 2022: 93%).
77% of residents used the Internet to find information about goods or services, 69% to read online news, newspapers or magazines, 63% participated in social networks, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and 61% for e-banking services. A fifth (20%) of residents expressed (posted or liked) opinions on civic or political issues.
57% made calls or video calls via programs such as Skype, Zoom, Viber, and 51% were seeking health-related information on the Internet. Compared to 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, both usage shares decreased.
More than half of residents have seen untrue or doubtful information or content on the Internet
53% of residents (about 826,820) saw untrue or doubtful information or content on news sites or social media, e.g. text, video, image. Among young individuals, 73% saw such information or content.
Of those who saw untrue or doubtful information or content, 36% (about 295,450) checked its truthfulness. Most of them were among the young (50%) and the fewest among 55–64-year-olds (23%).
The truthfulness of the untrue or doubtful information or content was checked by the mentioned users in different ways (multiple answers were possible). Most frequently, in 78%, they checked sources or found other information, e.g. on other news site or Wikipedia. 38% of them used other, offline sources or discussed the information with other people, but not on the Internet, and 34% followed or took part in a discussion regarding such information on the Internet.
The remaining 64% of residents (or around 531,370) who saw untrue or doubtful information or content on news sites or social media have not checked their truthfulness. The reasons for this were diverse (multiple answers were possible). Almost half of them already knew that the information, content or source was unreliable (71%), 16% of them lacked skills or knowledge (e.g. they did not know how to check the information on the Internet or it was too complicated for them), and 21% did not check their truthfulness for other reasons.
Individuals most frequently the target of hostile or degrading messages on the Internet because of their political or social views
Untrue information and hate speech have become a part of online content and social media. In the first quarter, 44% of residents encountered hostile or degrading messages on the Internet towards groups of people or individuals, e.g. in social media, blogs, videos, on news sites (also in comments sections). The share was the largest in the age groups 25–34 years (57%) and 16–24 years (53%), and the smallest in the 65–74 age group (26%).
Among those who encountered the mentioned hostile messages, most noticed that individuals or groups of people were targeted because of their political or social views (81%). Almost half (45%) considered that they had been targeted because of their sexual orientation (LGBTIQ+), 43% because of their race or ethnic origin and 42% because of their religious beliefs.
Tables with the latest data on the Internet usage and untrue information and hostile messages, also by statistical regions, are available in the SiStat Database.
METHODOLOGICAL NOTE
Additional explanations are available in the methodological explanations.
The survey is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Eurostat. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The survey is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Eurostat. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
.jpg)
