KELA and OMAKANTA

I currently have both a Finnish and a European healthcare card. The card is valid for two years. A new card is automatically sent home from Kela by post when the old card expires. I pay the students’ healthcare fee to Kela. Our children receive child allowance. In the past, I have received parental allowance and home care allowance when I was on paternity leave and looked after our children at home.

Through Suomi.fi identification, you can choose the strong electronic identification method you want, such as online banking credentials, mobile certificate or certificate card. Logging in is therefore easy. I logged into the OmaKanta service with my online banking credentials. From OmaKanta, I can access my own health information, prescriptions and laboratory tests.
I believe that OmaKanta would be easier to access if there was already a mobile app available for it. Kela is now developing the OmaKanna mobile application, which makes it easier to view your own information and take care of things. The decision to implement the application was made by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The app will be released in 2025. I think it could encourage citizens to use the app more actively.

SHOPPING ONLINE

The reliability of the digital trading platform is a key factor for both consumers and merchants. The reliable trading platform offers a safe and seamless shopping experience, protects personal data and offers reliable payment and delivery options.

I visited the marketplaces Booking.com and Trivago. The selection and search functions work flawlessly even without logging into the service. Surprisingly, the prices were the same in both services when searching for a hotel room for two adults on a given day. The price was the same even when searching on the hotel chain’s own website. As additional enticements, separate pop-up windows with advertisements tried to enable a purchase by offering a 10% discount if you sign up for the service offered by the ad. In my opinion, ads like this are annoying and negatively affect the continued use of the service by reducing trust. I prefer to use the accommodation’s own reservation systems rather than separate commercial reservation systems. This time there was no purchase event because there was no need for a hotel night.

The German music store Thomann.de, which sells musical instruments and AudioVisual performance technology, works very reliably in my opinion and from my experience. They have a trusted trading platform that offers a high level of security that protects customer information. This includes SSL encryption, secure payment methods and appropriate data handling practices. Their trading platform is also easy to use. A clear user interface, navigation and purchase process promote a positive user experience. Reliable hosting and server maintenance ensure continuous availability of the platform. Logging in is easy and you can influence what data the store collects about you in addition to your address information.

For me good customer service is important if problems or questions arise. If necessary, they have fast and helpful customer support. The owner of the trading platform has the appropriate licenses and registrations, which shows the legitimacy and reliability of the platform. Post-purchase feedback and reviews are fine, so this helps other users to identify potential problems and improve the platform’s quality and reliability. If you want, you can download Thomann’s own app, but I personally like to make purchases through the browser.
The shopping experience is absolutely fantastic compared to competing trading platforms. I have bought from them many times. The selection is versatile with price information and the technical information is written down for each product. You can browse the price category according to your choice. The need for additional accessories is also taken into account when making a purchase. The only downside is that you don’t get to jump around and test the instruments..

DIGI GAP

Those who do not use virtual services face some risks and challenges, especially when the digital world becomes an increasingly important part of everyday life. For example, the lack of technology and IT skills. Some people may avoid using digital services due to lack of technology and IT skills. This can limit their ability to take advantage of the opportunities and benefits offered by the digital world. That’s why some people avoid using the services because they fear information security risks such as data leaks, identity theft and scams.
Access to information and resources. Digital virtual services make it easy to get information on various topics and utilize various resources, such as online stores and communication platforms as well as learning and tools. People who do not use these services may miss out on important information and opportunities.
This leads to exclusion from the community. Through virtual services, people can create and maintain connections with other people around the world. Without these services, it can be more difficult to stay in touch with friends and authorities.

What are the practical benefits of digital services? Virtual services offer several practical benefits, such as the ability to do banking, shop, pay bills, and manage other everyday activities easily online using apps or apps. Without these services, these things may require more time, cost and effort.
It would be important that everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of the opportunities and benefits offered by the digital world, but at the same time it is also important to ensure that he is protected from information security risks and that his privacy is respected. These risks and challenges can be reduced by providing training and support services.

DIGITAL COMPETENCE TEST

The knowledge and skills are well-possessed, but there is still a bit to shake off. Below is a picture of my test results.

THOUGHTS and EXPERIENCES with SELF REFLECTION

While studying different perspectives as a digital citizen, I have learned about the advantages and disadvantages of digitalization. Digitization is the future. Digitization makes the world easier to live in, but you have to have the basics. Media literacy and media criticism are emphasized, fake news and false motivations mislead the ignorant, either intentionally or on purpose. Therefore, when logging into digital services, it is worth checking whether the site is original or something else. Especially for state-owned services such as KELA. People’s health information is a commodity for criminals, which can be misused or extorted money to keep it from being published.

What about those who don’t own a smartphone? Those who have done everything they need with their hands for ages without a computer? Development has passed them by, unfortunately, but as members of society they need to receive services face-to-face, without digital devices. This has been forgotten by many agencies and service providers, they have been relegated to B-class citizens involuntarily. Fortunately, there are still brick-and-mortar stores where you can buy supplies, the post office delivers letters and you can also withdraw money from the bank, although you have to make an appointment first. These people do not use digital virtual services at all, let alone others who have fallen out of society. You have to be HUMAN for them.

Humanity and ethics, meeting others physically and dialogue, these basic things must not be forgotten even in the digital world. Be present as a person, a robot does not replace emotions. Many enjoy being alone, but the current digitalization does not replace an emotional life with another person. What if the device does break down, the electricity goes out, Do you know how to act responsibly, do you panic? When the right moment comes, my dear readers, I challenge you to go without digital devices for a week. What do you think, would you succeed?
(Tip: I myself am hiking in the summer for a week without digital devices)

Sources:

kela.fi

Pictures:

Pixapay

Self-taken photos