Half of all Dutch people are worried about their online security and there is broad support in society for the government to be more active in the field of digitalization. However, only a minority will take this issue into account when voting in the early parliamentary elections on October 29. This is shown by a study by “Ipsos I&O“, BTA reports.
A previous study by the agency shows that “digital insecurity“ ranks third among the problems that worry the Dutch - 73%, after the lack of housing and polarization in society. Almost half (48%) fear that digital developments could exacerbate social inequality.
The idea of digitalization as a solution to labor shortages finds broad support. Three-quarters of Dutch people believe that the country should actively retrain workers in sectors with shortages such as information technology and healthcare. This position is particularly popular among citizens over 25 and voters of at least four parties expected to enter the new parliament.
Seven out of ten respondents put digital security on a par with good healthcare and education as a priority for the country's future. The same share (68%) urges the Netherlands to invest more in its digital security.
Six out of ten (63%) believe that a strong digital economy strengthens the country's independence and security. Half (52%) even believe that investments in digital defense are more important than those in traditional ones.
Eight out of ten Dutch people (82%) agree that citizens and businesses have a personal responsibility to prevent cyberattacks.
However, digitalization remains in the background in the electoral process. One in five people indicate the topic as “important“ in their choice, but only 2% place it among the leading factors for supporting a party. Of a total of 23 proposed topics, “digital (in)security“ has the lowest rating.
According to a number of surveys conducted since June, when it became clear that the country was going to early elections, the most significant problems for the Dutch remain the housing crisis, migration, healthcare, inflation, purchasing power and defense issues.