Elderly Finn Struggles with Digitalization, Manages Mother's Affairs

Helsinki resident Ulla Hippula, 68, finds herself increasingly concerned about managing her affairs as society digitizes. She describes her approach to technology as overly cautious and admits to being "partially clumsy," further complicated by poor eyesight that makes on-screen text difficult to read.

Hippula's struggle is representative of a larger issue: a significant portion of the elderly population lacks essential digital skills. Statistics indicate that over half of those aged 65–74 and nearly 80 percent of those aged 75–89 are missing basic digital competencies. These individuals often describe their interactions with digital tools as fraught with fear and frustration.

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When will I fall so far behind that I can no longer manage my affairs?

Despite her efforts to stay current, Hippula remains unconvinced that digitalization has delivered the promised efficiency gains. She questions the extent to which these changes have genuinely simplified services, expressing a personal anxiety about falling behind to the point where she can no longer manage her own affairs.

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The texts on my phone sometimes look like fly droppings.