Survey shows Canadians give themselves top marks for being tech
savvy but fall short when put to the test
Rogers launches Tech Essentials, a new education program
to help empower Canadians to make the most of
technology
Think you're tech savvy? Test your tech knowledge and see
how you compare
TORONTO,
Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians are
among the highest adopters of technology in the world, but a recent
survey shows they vastly overestimate their tech savviness and are
hungry to know more.
According to the survey, 60 per cent of
Canadians gave themselves a 'B' grade or higher for tech savviness.
When put to the test, only four per cent achieved a 'B' grade. The
survey, conducted for Rogers Communications, finds that almost half
couldn't answer questions about roaming, and two out of three
couldn't correctly answer questions about data usage or online
security. The majority (87 per cent) said they are eager to
improve their technology knowledge and 83 per cent want to use a
website to learn more.
Today, Rogers launched Tech Essentials™,
a new program to give Canadians the tools they need to make smarter
and safer use of technology. The program includes a website
available to all Canadians with free information on topics ranging
from how roaming works, to managing childrens' online usage, to
staying safe online. The Tech Essentials site has been
accredited by the independent organization Parent Tested, Parent
Approved. The program also includes an online and in-store 'Ask the
Experts' series, and will extend to Community Education sessions
this year.
"Canadians are very passionate about technology
and they clearly need and want to know more about how it all
works," said Rob Bruce, President,
Communications, Rogers Communications. "The research shows there's
a clear role for education and we have an important responsibility
to help Canadians get the most out of technology. We're a nation of
technology adopters and Tech Essentials represents the
beginning of a long-term effort to bridge the knowledge gap and
help build our digital future."
The online study shows Canadians have a good
understanding of the basics. For example the majority of Canadians
know what roaming is and when it applies, or that opening an
attachment exposes them to online viruses. Consumer knowledge
really starts to diminish when they get into the specifics of how
roaming works, what constitutes data usage and secure online
buying.
Tech Essentials is the first step in a
long-term education effort to increase Canadians' digital
savviness. Rogers already helps customers through its Start Up
Guide, Walk out Working program, and its Online Community
Forums.
Think you're tech savvy? Take a short quiz to
test your tech knowledge on the Tech Essentials website at
www.rogers.com/techessentials
About the Survey
From November 26 to 28th, 2012, an
online survey was conducted by Head Research among 1,001 randomly
selected adult Canadians who have a cell phone, a tablet, digital
cable, HD cable, a landline, mobile broadband and/or residential
broadband. All were Research Now survey panelists. The statistical
margin of error for overall results in this study is +/- 3 per
cent. This means that, in 19 out of 20 cases, survey results will
differ by no more than 3 per cent in either direction from what
would have been obtained by measuring the opinions of all similar
adult Canadians.
About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and
media company. We are Canada's
largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services
and one of Canada's leading
providers of cable television, high speed Internet and telephony
services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and
television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade
publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are
publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and
RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further
information about the Rogers group of companies, please
visit rogers.com.
SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.
Image with caption: " Survey shows Canadians give themselves top
marks for being tech savvy but fall short when put to the test,
results are summarized in the following Rogers Communications fact
sheet. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130114_C5476_PHOTO_EN_22462.jpg