Digitalization in Everyday Life – Opportunities and Challenges
In recent years, digitalization has significantly transformed our daily lives. More and more services—such as shopping, banking, travel bookings, and healthcare—have moved online. This development brings considerable benefits, including convenience, speed, and a wider selection. At the same time, however, digitalization also raises important questions about equality and accessibility. In this blog post, I reflect on my own experiences with digital services, their reliability, and the challenges created by digitalization.
Online Stores and Price Comparison
I explored the Trivago website and compared its hotel prices with those offered by other services and local hotel websites. One of Trivago’s strengths is its clarity and ease of use: users can quickly compare hotel prices from multiple booking platforms in one place. The site also provides access to essential information such as privacy policies, accessibility statements, and terms of use, which increases the sense of reliability.
In terms of pricing, Trivago appears competitive. However, it does not always display the final price, as additional charges like taxes or service fees may only appear in the final stage of booking. When I compared prices with those on hotels’ own websites, I noticed that booking directly with the hotel can sometimes be cheaper or include extra benefits, such as free breakfast.
From a consumer perspective, the amount of information varies depending on the service. While Trivago provides basic information well, detailed terms and conditions are often found only on third-party websites. Nevertheless, I would generally consider the service reliable, as long as users carefully review the booking details before making a payment.
A Professional Application: Oma Mehiläinen
I explored the Oma Mehiläinen application, which is related to my field, healthcare. I chose this application because it is widely used in Finland and offers a comprehensive range of services.
Based on my experience, the application is clear and easy to use. It brings together a wide range of health data, such as laboratory results, visit history, and prescription information. The data is presented in a visually clear format, making it easy to understand.
The application also allows users to contact healthcare professionals at any time, which improves accessibility and provides a sense of security in everyday life. In addition, users can request prescription renewals and complete various health-related questionnaires through the app.
From a data security perspective, the application uses strong authentication, which increases its reliability. In my opinion, Oma Mehiläinen meets data protection and security requirements well, which is especially important when handling sensitive health data.
Digitalization and the Digital Divide
Although digitalization offers many benefits, not everyone benefits equally. The digital divide refers to the gap between those who use digital services and those who do not. This divide can result from factors such as age, education, financial situation, or digital skills.
People who do not use digital services may face significant challenges. For example, booking healthcare appointments, managing banking services, and accessing government services are increasingly done online. This can make access to services more difficult or slower for some individuals.
Furthermore, being excluded from digital services can increase dependence on others. Everyday tasks, such as paying bills or booking appointments, may require help from family members or friends, which can reduce a person’s sense of independence.
The digital divide can also increase social isolation. Many social interactions and communities now operate online, and being excluded from these environments can reduce a person’s sense of participation in society.
KELA and Other Digital Services in Everyday Life
The services provided by KELA (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) are an essential part of everyday life for many people. Personally, I use KELA’s online services to apply for benefits and check information. The service is relatively clear and functions well, although some forms can feel complex.
In my family, KELA services are used for applying for study benefits, sickness allowances, and child benefits. Digital services make these processes easier, as they can be handled anytime and anywhere.
Applying for the European Health Insurance Card can also be done online. The process was straightforward, and the card arrived by mail within a few weeks.
OmaKanta and Access to Personal Health Data
OmaKanta is an important service for accessing personal health information. I activated the service using strong authentication through online banking credentials. The service provides access to prescriptions, vaccination records, and healthcare visits.
Using OmaKanta helps improve understanding of one’s health and allows individuals to take a more active role in their own care. It is a good example of how digitalization can improve the quality and accessibility of services.
Reviewing Pension Information
Through Keva’s service, it is possible to estimate future pension amounts at different retirement ages. When I compared retirement at age 63 versus 68, I noticed that retiring later significantly increases the pension amount. This helps in planning for the future and supports informed decision-making.
Interaction and Commenting
I also read articles written by other students about digitalization. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on the topic. I commented on three articles and shared my own thoughts.
Commenting was easy on the WordPress platform, although comments required moderation before being published. I included the URL of my own blog in the comments so that others could visit my page. This enhances interaction and encourages the exchange of ideas.
Self-Reflection: What Did I Learn?
Through this assignment, I learned a great deal about the role of digitalization in everyday life. I gained a better understanding of how essential digital services have become in modern society. At the same time, I became more aware that not everyone has equal access to these services.
I also gained practical experience in using and comparing different online services. I learned to evaluate reliability and pay attention to data protection and terms of use.
Additionally, I realized how important it is to continuously develop digital skills. Technology evolves rapidly, and keeping up with it requires active learning.
Conclusion
Digitalization offers enormous opportunities, but it also presents challenges. It is important to ensure that everyone stays included in this development. This requires accessible services, support for digital skills, and the maintenance of alternative service channels.
Based on my experiences, digital services can make everyday life smoother and easier, but their use requires certain skills and readiness. Therefore, it is essential to invest in digital competence and equality, so that no one is left behind.