Survey shows Canadians give themselves top marks for being tech savvy but fall short when put to the test

Rogers launches Tech Essentials, a new education program to help empower Canadians to make the most of technology

Think you're tech savvy? Test your tech knowledge and see how you compare

TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians are among the highest adopters of technology in the world, but a recent survey shows they vastly overestimate their tech savviness and are hungry to know more.

According to the survey, 60 per cent of Canadians gave themselves a 'B' grade or higher for tech savviness. When put to the test, only four per cent achieved a 'B' grade. The survey, conducted for Rogers Communications, finds that almost half couldn't answer questions about roaming, and two out of three couldn't correctly answer questions about data usage or online security.  The majority (87 per cent) said they are eager to improve their technology knowledge and 83 per cent want to use a website to learn more.

Today, Rogers launched Tech Essentials™, a new program to give Canadians the tools they need to make smarter and safer use of technology. The program includes a website available to all Canadians with free information on topics ranging from how roaming works, to managing childrens' online usage, to staying safe online. The Tech Essentials site has been accredited by the independent organization Parent Tested, Parent Approved. The program also includes an online and in-store 'Ask the Experts' series, and will extend to Community Education sessions this year.

"Canadians are very passionate about technology and they clearly need and want to know more about how it all works," said Rob Bruce, President, Communications, Rogers Communications. "The research shows there's a clear role for education and we have an important responsibility to help Canadians get the most out of technology. We're a nation of technology adopters and Tech Essentials represents the beginning of a long-term effort to bridge the knowledge gap and help build our digital future."

The online study shows Canadians have a good understanding of the basics. For example the majority of Canadians know what roaming is and when it applies, or that opening an attachment exposes them to online viruses. Consumer knowledge really starts to diminish when they get into the specifics of how roaming works, what constitutes data usage and secure online buying.

Tech Essentials is the first step in a long-term education effort to increase Canadians' digital savviness. Rogers already helps customers through its Start Up Guide, Walk out Working program, and its Online Community Forums.

Think you're tech savvy? Take a short quiz to test your tech knowledge on the Tech Essentials website at www.rogers.com/techessentials

About the Survey
From November 26 to 28th, 2012, an online survey was conducted by Head Research among 1,001 randomly selected adult Canadians who have a cell phone, a tablet, digital cable, HD cable, a landline, mobile broadband and/or residential broadband. All were Research Now survey panelists. The statistical margin of error for overall results in this study is +/- 3 per cent. This means that, in 19 out of 20 cases, survey results will differ by no more than 3 per cent in either direction from what would have been obtained by measuring the opinions of all similar adult Canadians.

About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit rogers.com.

Image with caption: " Survey shows Canadians give themselves top marks for being tech savvy but fall short when put to the test, results are summarized in the following Rogers Communications fact sheet. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130114_C5476_PHOTO_EN_22462.jpg

SOURCE: Rogers Communications Inc.