KELA and My Use of Social Insurance Services
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) plays a significant role in the Finnish welfare state. Personally, I have used several of KELA’s services over the years, including the student financial aid (opintotuki), general housing allowance (yleinen asumistuki), and reimbursement for prescription medication.
KELA’s website is relatively easy to navigate, and their e-services (asiointipalvelu) are secure and functional. I appreciate the possibility to apply for benefits and track application status online. The digitalization of these services saves time and reduces paperwork. However, for someone not used to online platforms, navigating these systems might be challenging at first.
Accessing My Health Data via OmaKanta
OmaKanta is a national digital health portal where I can view my prescriptions, medical history, lab results, and vaccination records. I accessed OmaKanta using my online banking credentials. The login process is secure, and the interface is user-friendly. I especially like the ability to renew prescriptions and read doctors’ notes from past visits. It has increased my awareness and involvement in my own healthcare.
My Future Pension Estimate via Keva
Keva’s service allows you to estimate your future pension based on your current work history. I tried calculating my pension if I retire at age 63 and at age 68. Service did not show me how much pension I will get. I hope I will retire healhty and whealthy. From the different medias I have realized how my career choices and retirement timing can affect my financial future.
Price Comparison and Service Evaluation: Amazon vs Local Shops
I compared prices on Amazon with those of local stores for items such as electronics, books, and clothing. While Amazon often offers lower prices and a wider selection, especially for niche products, the delivery times to Finland can be long and sometimes include hidden fees. In contrast, local stores offer the benefit of personal customer service and immediate product availability.
Regarding consumer information, Amazon typically provides extensive product descriptions, customer reviews, and FAQs, which help in making informed decisions. However, the reliability of sellers varies. In my experience, buying directly from Amazon (not third-party sellers) is generally trustworthy. Still, I always check the seller ratings and return policies before purchasing.
Service from My Field: Notion for Project and Information Management
As a student interested in communication and project management, I think Notion could be useful, an all-in-one workspace tool for note-taking, task management, and collaboration. I would choose Notion because it is flexible, user-friendly, and allows me to organize study materials, assignments, and group projects all in one place. It could help me become more organized and productive, both in studies and in personal life.
Digital Divide and Its Challenges
While digitalization brings many benefits, it also creates a digital divide—a gap between those who have access to and can use digital tools and those who cannot. The most affected groups are usually the elderly, people with low digital literacy, those with disabilities, or individuals without access to reliable internet.
For these individuals, many essential services like banking, health care, or government applications become hard or even impossible to access. This can lead to social exclusion, financial difficulties, or delays in getting help. As a society, we need to ensure that digital services are inclusive, and that alternative ways to access them still exist for those who need assistance.
Peer Contributions and Insights
I read several reflections by other students from the bookmark list. It was interesting to see how international students perceive Finnish services. Many of them praised the transparency and reliability of KELA and health services. Some mentioned challenges with the language barrier and navigating online forms. I found it helpful to see different perspectives, especially regarding how digital tools are used in other countries.
Digital Competence Test and Open Badges
I took the Digital Competence Test and received a summary of my strengths and development areas. My results showed that I am confident in using digital tools for communication and collaboration but could improve in cybersecurity awareness. Based on the results, I plan to complete the Open Badges certification to strengthen my digital profile.
Final Reflection: What I Learned
This assignment helped me reflect deeply on the digital services I use almost every day, often without thinking. I gained a better understanding of how integrated services like KELA and OmaKanta are in Finnish society, and how digital tools support both individuals and the broader community.
I also learned that while digital services offer convenience and efficiency, they are not without challenges—especially for people with less experience or access. The importance of digital literacy and inclusive design became clear during this assignment.
Personally, I became more aware of my own digital habits and preferences. By taking the Digital Competence Test, I identified areas for growth, and I’m motivated to continue developing these skills in both academic and professional contexts.
In conclusion, this assignment was eye-opening and practical. It combined self-reflection with critical thinking, and I now feel more equipped to navigate and evaluate digital services as both a user and a future professional.
I have commented following blogs;
https://blogi.savonia.fi/annalehtiniemi/digi-citizen/#comment-9
https://blogi.savonia.fi/amtsilandia/digi-society/?unapproved=9&moderation-hash=8c8a63285f14e9e1c70f212ac13613b1#comment-9