According to the study, digital technologies helped 83 percent of respondents in at least one area of their lives during the pandemic. Most respondents (60 percent) benefited from technological solutions at work, followed by digital communication with friends and family (56 percent) and e-commerce (55 percent).
"During the lockdown, most people have spent much more time at home. Digital technologies such as video conferencing with family and friends, entertainment options such as streaming or games, and the ability to shop online have become the gateway to the world for many during the Corona crisis,"
says Bitkom-President Achim Berg.
“Digital technologies have ensured that our lives could continue despite all the restrictions”
"In an analog world like the one 50 years ago, the coronavirus pandemic would have demanded much more from all of us. Digital technologies have ensured that our lives could continue despite all the restrictions. A key question is which of the changes triggered or accelerated by coronavirus are lasting and will continue to shape our lives in the future."
says Berg. Overall, a clear majority of 78 percent report that they have used digital technologies, devices, and services more frequently during the coronavirus pandemic than before. According to their own estimates, respondents spent an average of 8 hours a day looking at a screen before the coronavirus pandemic. During the pandemic, this figure has risen to 10.4 hours.
Increased use of streaming services is likely a contributing factor. Their use has increased from 3.9 hours before the coronavirus pandemic to 7.1 hours per week. Only 21 percent say they don't use video streaming. Before the pandemic, this figure was 29 percent. Eight percent say they use video streaming for 20 hours or more per week—twice as many heavy streamers as before the coronavirus pandemic (4 percent).
Private video calls have become part of everyday life during the pandemic. While pre-COVID usage averaged only 0.6 hours per week, usage has more than quintupled to 3.3 hours.
"Many families have discovered during the Corona period that they can get closer to each other via video than with a simple phone call – and may even be communicating more often than before. Video calls will certainly not disappear from our everyday lives even after Corona,"
says Berg.
“This also applies to professional life: The days when you had to travel eight hours by train, car, or even plane for a two-hour meeting should be a thing of the past.”
Online shopping has also gained massive importance during the coronavirus pandemic. Before the pandemic, an average of 16 percent of all products—excluding groceries—were purchased online. This share has now more than doubled to 37 percent.
Citizens are skeptical about whether the digitalization push will be sustainable. While 57 percent believe that the pandemic will sustainably advance the digitalization of the economy, 42 percent expect the economy to continue operating as before after the pandemic. Regarding public administration, only 44 percent expect sustainable digitalization as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but 53 percent expect offices and authorities to reverse the trend after the pandemic.
