Kela

I’m not currently using Kela’s services, but I have received general housing allowance and study grant from Kela during my previous studies.

OmaKanta

I accessed OmaKanta via the link provided in the study materials. Especially for sites that require strong authentication, it’s not advisable to go through Google but rather by typing the address into the address bar or using a bookmark, if you’re sure you’ve bookmarked the correct site and not a phishing page. I clicked on the green “Kirjaudu OmaKantaan” button, after which I was redirected to the strong authentication service of Suomi.fi. I authenticated myself using my own bank and phone app.

For many elderly individuals or even younger ones, mobile authentication and online services are challenging to use, or they lack access to them from their homes. They can access the services with their mobile phones, since people usually don’t have computers anymore. People can use computers and internet in libraries, but not everyone has mobile certificate or online banking credentials, which are needed for strong/mobile authentication.

I use OmaKanta frequently. I check my diagnoses, prescriptions, and notes from my appointments there. I also review my blood test results before the doctor has a chance to call. Sometimes, this leads to diligent googling to understand abbreviations. On the other hand, since I regularly have safety blood tests, the doctor doesn’t call if there’s nothing alarming in the results. In that case, I can check the results myself instead of waiting anxiously for a phone call.

Keva

I couldn’t calculate how much pension I would receive at the age of 63 because, according to Keva, my minimum retirement age is 68 years and 2 months. I checked the amount of my pension, but do not want to share the information here. (68 years, do I even remember where I work when I’m at that age?!)

AliExpress (and Temu)

I decided to explore AliExpress for this task. Initially, I thought about researching the popular brand Temu, but I didn’t want to visit their website and support them. I googled AliExpress and noticed that Temu’s sponsored link ranked second in the search results. If AliExpress’s own link hadn’t also been sponsored, Temu might have been the top result in the search.

Earlier, I said that it’s not advisable to navigate to websites, especially those collecting personal information, through Google. However, out of laziness, I googled AliExpress and ended up on their Russian-language site through the sponsored link. I wonder why the online store thought that I can understand Russian? Even the currency was displayed in US dollars (USD). I changed the language to English – which for some reason already changed my currency to Euro – and country to Finland. I Rejected cookies, since it was an option easily available.

The prices are suspiciously low; for example, a small hidden HD video camera could be obtained for less than 4 euros. I wouldn’t order cosmetics and don’t trust their quality. These products are likely the same as those sold by Temu, which is accused of selling products containing toxins, and the products probably come from the same factories and lack proper oversight. I believe similar chemicals can be found in other discount stores’ products. In addition, Temu is accused of stealing and selling persona information, especially via their mobile app.

Many stores in Finland also sell cheap clothing, and this is often used as an argument for why buying from Temu is equivalent to purchasing slightly more expensive but identical items from H&M. However, products and sellers in Finland are regulated, and child labor or hazardous chemicals are not allowed.

E-library app

As a application from my own field, puclic library, I chose the new E-library (E-kirjasto) app. It’s not available in English yet and it only has Finnish e-books, audiobooks and magazines for now. English and other language materials will arrive during this summer. E-library is available in almost all Finnish municipalities. To use it, you don’t need a library card; users don’t have to be customers of any specific library. Instead, the application requires strong authentication, equivalent to a signature. During this process, the system verifies whether the user resides in a municipality that has joined E-library. The service is free for users, but municipalities pay 0.70 € per resident. Access depends on the user’s place of residence, not library membership.

Users log in to the app using strong authentication, which may not be feasible for everyone. In the future, once technical challenges are resolved, libraries can register customers for E-library, even if they lack strong authentication. Currently, the service is available only on mobile devices, but later it will also be accessible via computers.

The service is also accessible to elderly individuals, as using it doesn’t necessarily require online banking credentials. However, using the service does require some level of digital literacy and, currently, a mobile device. Those who find apps challenging may not even want to use digital content. On the other hand, listening to audiobooks can help enjoy literature, especially if physical books or reading text become difficult due to age-related visual or motor challenges.

Digitalization and digital gap

People who don’t use virtual services may miss out on social interactions. Virtual platforms provide opportunities for connecting with others, and not using them could lead to feelings of isolation. For example, during COVID pandemic people without digital platforms could not get in touch with other people.

Virtual services also offer access to a wealth of information, including news, educational resources, and health-related content. Those who don’t use these services might miss out on valuable updates and knowledge. Virtual healthcare services have become increasingly important. Not using them could result in delayed medical attention, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility. The healthcare contact information can be found online, and you can also perform an initial self-assessment of your well-being on the internet. Physical visits to a doctor are not always necessary; instead, you can find advice how to ease your symptoms, and you can even meet with a doctor via chat or video call.

People without internet often have difficulties to manage their monetary transactions and pay bills. Not using virtual banking services might lead to difficulties in managing finances, paying bills, or accessing loans. Many banks have minimized their opening hours, and often appointments need to be made online.

Job opportunities and education are also in the internet. Even the job itself is more and more on virtual platforms. People without knowledge about internet privacy and cybersecurity have a higher risk of identity theft. Understanding security updates on your computers and phones are just as important as locking your front door. Still, too many people don’t update their devices and apps.

Here are just some examples of what the digital gap can cause. Old age is not always the reason for the gap, since poverty, poor education and even young cause difficulties to manage in the virtual world. Young children and “Gen Z” don’t always understand privacy and security risks. There is no such thing as “digital native”. No one is born with the knowledge how to use devices and internet. They must be learned and taught, just as children must be taught to lock the front door (and remember to take their keys with them!) and watch both ways before crossing the road.

Did you know that confidentiality order for personal safety reasons (“turvakielto” in Finnish) can also cause difficulties to use virtual services? The E-library mentioned earlier is an example of this, since the app can’t obtain information about the user’s home municipality, as this information cannot be disclosed to external parties without precise investigations and permissions.

Digital Competence Test

You can check my full digital competence results here.

Self-reflection

The digital competence test was new to me, but I had used Keva, Kela and OmaKanta before. I also had thought about the digital gap before, since it often comes up as my job as a librarian. People with no access to internet or skills to use the computer often need library for devices and assistance. Still, I hadn’t considered how many things are affected when an individual has no access to the internet. Even using the mouse can be digfficult for someone, who only has used mobile devices and poked the screen (elderly and Gen Z and everyone in between).

I posted my comments on https://blogi.savonia.fi/rarecare/eplatforms/ and https://blogi.savonia.fi/journeytodigitalisationinworkfield/digi-citizen/.