How Do People Help Each Other with Digital Technologies: Techhelp Study in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Global TechHelp Networks is an international study that focuses on finding out the ways people help each other with digital technologies in different countries and cultural settings. This paper presents the results of the Czech study and contributes qualitative data that can ultimately lead to improved support for developing digital literacy at an informal level. We asked the research participants to describe situations when they were either receiving or providing help with some digital technology and to reflect on the evolution of how they used technologies. Czech research participants generally feel that they have enough support with digital technologies. When they need help, they seek it from their friends or family, but they usually also have some other person with IT knowledge within reach. Some participants expressed a need to keep their interaction with technologies under control.