Last month the Belgian consumer pro-choice campaign “Ma facture Mon choix” teamed up with Gezinsbond/Ligue des famillies, the national Family Association which strives to make the society a family and child-friendly environment, in a media action to fight digital illiteracy.

According to their studies, although 86% of Belgians have access to a computer and the internet and the world is getting more digital, 1 out of 3 Belgians still do not work with word processors, 1 in 5 do not receive or send emails and 1 out of 7 Belgians do not browse the internet.  As 1 out of 2 Belgians cannot cope with digital tools such as Paypal, Doccle, Ogone and Zoomit, digital illiteracy puts a financial burden on them.

“Therefore it is important that governments, companies and institutions understand that there are digital thresholds and that we should try to help, support consumer and provide sufficient non-digital alternatives” said Christel Verhas, Director for Gezinsbond in a press statement.