A few major findings of this new edition: social media trust

1.    Digital technology has become part of daily life in all the countries that participated in the study. The study clearly shows that digital tools have become a necessity with an average of 67 % of people asked saying they can no longer live without the internet and an average of 61 % of people saying they cannot live without their smartphone.

2.    This form of maturity can be seen in a heightened understanding of the risks: almost one person in two does not trust social media. However, it is noted that digital technology provides its users with so many advantages that they overcome these fears.

3.    Intensive use of digital technology is creating a growing need to disconnect, even occasionally: over 8 out of 10 people need to disconnect. Paradoxically, people have a hard time putting this aspiration into practice.

4.    In the future, digital technology could continue to develop, by offering ever more personalised services (especially in the healthcare, education and financial services sectors) and making it easier to access and understand for everyone.

5.    Digital pollution issues raise the question of the programmed obsolescence of digital devices. Users, especially those in France (29 %), say they are now entirely willing to replace their devices less often. In Western countries, recycling is a well-established practice: one in every three users says they recycle.

6.    Finally, digital inclusion is seen as important by most of the people surveyed: it should even be a national priority according to 72 % of French digital users and 87 % of Spanish users.

1/  Nine countries: South Korea, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Spain, US, France, Morocco, UK, Senegal

Users are increasingly aware of the potential risks: hyper-connection, a sense of insecurity regarding personal data, and social isolation. social media trust