This chapter looks at what type of internet and software activities people engage in, as well as the extent to which online learning has happened.  As with all the data in this publication, the data was collected during the first two quarters of 2021 and so reflects the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which particularly impacted on in-person learning given the closure of schools and universities, to varying degrees, during this period.

People were also choosing to upskill during this time using online resources. Over three in ten (31%) reported doing an online course, compared with just 13% in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. In 2021, females were more likely than males to do a course online – 32% of females compared with 29% of males. This compares with 2019 data where more males (14%) than females (12%) undertook a course online. See Table 6.1 and Figure 6.1.

For persons whose principal economic status was At work, 37% reported doing a course online, compared with 22% of Unemployed persons, and 14% of Students. Just 6% of persons on home duties did an online course. Using online learning material other than a complete online course (such as audio-visual materials, online learning software, electronic textbooks) was reported by 36% of internet users. Over half (53%) did not take partake in any online learning. See Table 6.1.

However, some used online learning material and resources to aid their learning (such as audio-visual materials, online learning software, electronic textbooks, etc.) other than a complete online course. In 2021, 36% of internet users reported using such online learning resources, compared with just one in five (21%) in 2019. While more females than males undertook a course online, more males than females used learning material other than a complete online course – 38% of males compared with 34% of females. Analysis by age group shows that prevalence of the use of this type of online learning resource decreases with age. Nearly half (47%) of younger persons aged 16 to 29 years used online learning material such as audio-visual materials, online learning software, electronic textbooks, etc. as did 42% of persons aged 30 to 44 years, and 38% of persons aged 45 to 59 years carried out such learning activity on the internet. Just 23% of older internet users aged 60 to 74 years engaged in such learning activity. See Table 6.1 and Figure 6.2.

One quarter (25%) of Unemployed persons carried out such learning activity online, compared with 47% of persons whose principal economic status was At work. See Table 6.1.

Note that more than one option could be selected by respondents.

People have been digitally upskilling during the pandemic and in this survey, respondents were asked about the computer or software related activities which they carried out in the three months prior to interview. This survey data is used to complete the European-wide “Digital Skills Indicator”. More information on the “Digital Skills Indicator” is available in the Background Notes. High level skills such as installing software or apps was carried out by over six in every ten (61%) internet users. This compared with 53% of internet users surveyed in 2019. See Table 6.2.

Three quarters (75%) of persons aged between 16 and 29 years installed software or apps in the previous three months, compared with just 41% of internet users in the 60 to 74 years age group. Changing the settings on any software (including operational systems and security programs) was carried out by 47% of respondents, compared with 36% of persons in 2019. See Table 6.2.

Males were more likely than females to carry out this activity in 2021 – 50% of males compared with 43% of females. Just 28% of internet users aged 60 to 74 years carried out this activity compared with 58% of persons aged between 30 and 44 years. See Table 6.2 and Figure 6.3.

Other high-level skills include writing code in a programming language which was carried out by just 8% of individuals, up just one percentage point since 2019. Males were far more likely than females to carry out this activity – 14% of males compared with 3% of females. This follows the same trend as in 2019 when 11% of males reported this activity compared with just 3% of females. See Table 6.3.

Analysis by age shows that prevalence of this activity amongst respondents decreases with age – 16% of younger persons aged 16 to 29 years carried out this activity in the previous three months, as did 13% of persons aged 30 to 44 years. This compared with just 2% of older persons aged 60 to 74 years writing code in a programming language. See Table 6.3.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) used spreadsheets (compared with 36% in 2019) while only 26% used more advanced spreadsheet functions to organise and analyse data such as sorting, filtering, using functions, creating charts, etc. up just one percentage point since 2019. Over six in ten (61%) persons whose principal economic status was At work used basic spreadsheet functions while 35% used more advanced spreadsheet functions. See Table 6.3.

Just over one in ten (11%) persons aged 60 to 74 years used advanced Excel functions compared with 35% of persons aged 16 to 29 years and 36% of respondents aged 30 to 44 years. See Table 6.3.

As we use digital photo/video technology more and more on our phones and other devices, people are editing photos, videos or audio files themselves for uploading to their social media networks, or for other private use. In 2021, 45% of internet users used software to edit photos, videos or audio files. Our survey results show that prevalence of this activity decreases with age, with 57% of persons aged 16 to 29 years and 54% of internet users in the 30 to 44 years age group reporting this activity, compared with 45% of persons in the 45 to 59 years age group and 33% of internet users aged 60 to 74 years. See Table 6.3.