However, 8% of Belgians still don’t have an internet connection at home and 39% only have weak digital skills (1). This is because some people don’t have access to digital tools while others have few or no skills and are therefore at risk of digital exclusion.
At ING, we try to bridge this digital divide so that everyone can find their place in a safe digital environment. What barriers exist and what solutions can we provide?
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"1st barrier: access to digital tools"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Although the price of smartphones and computers is more accessible than a few years ago, a part of the population cannot afford to buy an electronic device. This exclusion exists close to home and may affect a neighbour or family member.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Solution: recycle and donate appliances","richBody":{"value":"ING supports Close The Gap, an international non-profit organisation that provides second-hand IT equipment, training programmes and technical support to projects in developing countries. In 2021, 128,344 devices were collected and 377,270 beneficiaries reached. ING ccollected and donated 3,253 devices.
Concrete impact of laptop refurbishment in terms of CO2 emission reduction.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"bottom","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/be56a98e-5a23-4712-a174-91dd25240fd4/digital-inclusion-image1-en","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/e5a1ae8da71166e/original/digital-inclusion-image1-en.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"You too can make a difference:","richBody":{"value":"The digital divide is not just about access but also about use. Even with an electronic device and a good connection, there can be the added problem of lack of digital skills.
Illectronism or digital illiteracy
Illectronism is having difficulties in using digital tools. 46% of Belgians suffer from a lack of digital skills and 13% of young people in secondary education have never used a computer or tablet.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Solution: supporting digitally excluded groups","richBody":{"value":"Initiatives exist to provide personal assistance to people in need, to teach them how to use digital applications and platforms and to answer their questions in a simple and human way.
In 2005, ING created a philanthropic fund managed by the King Baudouin Foundation. The ING Fund for a more digital society finances many projects that support the digital inclusion of the most disadvantaged or train social helpers. For example, the Brussels organisation Bibliothèque Sans Frontières, a 2021 ING Fund winner, trains digital helpers and is setting up a network of “digital buddies” in Wallonia.
In addition, ING also offers direct support to some of its customers via BeeGo's “digibuddies”. These IT students provide customers with personal assistance in using their home banking application.
Find out in the video below how BeeGo's digibuddies give people the confidence to start using digital applications.
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Is my banking app secure? How do I recognise fraud on my account? What do I do if I lose my smartphone? These are examples of some of the many issues that banking users may face when conducting online transactions.
So that customers can get started securely, ING offers tips and workshops to help them make digital payments and manage their finances easily and securely. A range of topics is covered, from phishing to many other forms of fraud, as well as the principles of online banking.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/fraud-and-security/online-security","text":"Discover all the tips on online security"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Accessibility and disability","richBody":{"value":"Browsing the Internet or using a smartphone with a disability can also be difficult. Many tools exist but represent an additional cost. As a bank, we are also aware of the specific needs of people with disabilities or reduced mobility. That is why we are constantly striving to improve access to our services both in branch and online. ING supports the non-profit organisation Eqla, which trains visually impaired people to work easily with digital tools, via the ING Fund for a more digital society.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"ING's commitment to health and financial inclusion","richBody":{"value":"As a bank, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to help people feel more financially comfortable. The first step is to ensure that certain basic elements are in place. This includes access to products and services in an increasingly digital world, while maintaining physical support and interaction.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/news/sustainability","text":"Follow our actions on the theme of sustainability and financial health"}]}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also interesting!"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Our sustainability direction","body":"Article | ING has the responsibility to define new ways of doing business where planet and people are just as important as economic growth.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e1298544-8133-4a72-8c66-f6adc25f6d3d/Sustainability-clients-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6b27540d02d408a6/original/Sustainability-clients-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-06-09","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/news/sustainability/ing-solutions-sustainability"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Creating a banking environment where everyone finds its place","body":"As a bank, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to help people become more financially healthy. Find out how.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/9871aadc-dc1a-4ab0-9407-7320a093f9c9/financial-health-banking-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4f5864350881cdf/original/financial-health-banking-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-09-11","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/news/sustainability/financial-health-banking"}}]}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Sources"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":""}}]}}}