30 years of information society in Poland

Krzysztof Abramiuk

August 17, 1991 is the date Wikipedia describes as the beginning of the Internet in Poland^[1]https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_Internetu_w_Polsce. For more than 30 years, the global network was becoming more and more popular, changing the world in an significant way. As a consequence of opportunities and threats resulting from access to the Internet, and the way in which access to information has influenced the world, a new model of behaviour of groups of people has emerged, which is currently referred to as the information society.

Maria Nowina Konopka in her book „Rola internetu w rozwoju demokracji w Polsce” defines an information society as one in which citizens, workplaces, and organizations make extensive use of information on a daily basis; there is the ability to receive digital data quickly regardless of distance; and compatible technology is used in personal, professional, and social activities ^[2]M.N. Konopka, „Rola internetu w rozwoju demokracji w Polsce”, Ośrodek Myśli Politycznej/Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu – National Louis University, 2008

It will not be an exaggeration to say that the ability to transmit large amounts of information in a secure and in high quality manner is the lifeblood of modern societies. However, the above definition of the information society did not put emphasis on the consequences of such a wide “use” of information. The way and speed of its circulation has changed the way we work (the pandemic has highlighted the role of remote work), the way we travel (e.g. online maps, buying tickets and looking for accommodation via the Internet) and finally the way we perceive relationships and making acquaintances or intimacy (dating and social networking applications etc.).

They have also created (or intensified, if we assume that similar mechanisms were already in place) a flood of redundant information, which makes it difficult for the average web-user to distinguish truth from false and manipulation from reliability without critical reflection and, more and more often, expert knowledge. The same makes us inclined to use more and more simple methods of organizing information, e.g. relying on emotions. Therefore, it is essential not only to improve the infrastructure for using the Web; it is equally important, and perhaps even more important, to develop digital competencies and to understand the risks – not only at the individual level, but also in terms of what the new medium does to communities.

As far as infrastructure is concerned – fortunately, a lot has changed in this field over the last 17 years. First, let’s look at the private sector: in 2004 only about 26 percent of households had access to the Internet^[3]https://stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/NTS_spoleczenstwo_informacyjne_w_Polsce_2004_2007.pdf. The year 2020 showed a big leap in this regard, with 90.4 percent of households having Internet access^[4]https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/nauka-i-technika-spoleczenstwo-informacyjne/spoleczenstwo-informacyjne/spoleczenstwo-informacyjne-w-polsce-w-2020-roku,1,14.html. What is particularly important is that the gap between urban (smaller and larger cities) and rural areas is very small, only 2.8 percentage points.

The same report of the Główny Urząd Statystyczny shows the main ways in which we used the Internet in 2020^[5]Ibid.. According to the information provided there, news and shopping dominated: more than 64 percent of people aged 16-74 read news online last year; among declared Internet users, this percentage was even higher – about 79 percent. As for online shopping, about 61 percent of people aged 16-74 used it in 2020.

Comparing this data with the summary on the use of public administration, one can say that there is still some catching up to do in the latter field. Just under half (about 42% according to the same report) of those aged 16-74 used online public administration services. This usually came down to sending a completed application over the Internet. However, this does not seem to be due to the fact that offices of various levels do not give citizens such an opportunity. Despite the questions that arise about the exact definition of terms such as electronic document management and online services, the 2019 data indicate (2020 report) that the vast majority (98.6%) of public administration units made services available to citizens online.

Another interesting source that examine the topic of informatization is the UN report on digitalization in various caountries (2020)^[6]https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/Portals/egovkb/Documents/un/2020-Survey/2020%20UN%20E-Government%20Survey%20(Full%20Report).pdf. In the e-participation ranking, Poland made a big jump – from 31st to 9th place (compared to the 2018 report)^[7]https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/Portals/egovkb/Documents/un/2018-Survey/E-Government%20Survey%202018_FINAL%20for%20web.pdf. According to the UN, e-participation is part of the broader phenomenon of e-government and roughly refers to decision-making processes happening between public administration, citizens and politicians. The report research team took into account factors such as the online availability of information on budgets and current policies and guidelines in areas of government such as education, health, welfare and employment policy; the online availability of data protection regulations; and the online availability of information on government cooperation with third parties such as civil society.

The position in this ranking can bring some optimism, because electronic services are not just a façade phenomenon to boast about, but they actually make life potentially easier. It doesn’t mean, however, that we can rest on our laurels – all the time we should look wider, and even make some kind of meta-analysis of our view – is it really fair, comprehensive and clear? Leaving this thread aside, it seems that we have two key tasks ahead of us – on the one hand, we have to make network users aware that not everything they look at is true, or is what it seems to be, and no one’s intentions are hidden behind it. Secondly, we need to equip people with the tools to use the web, so that with a large dose of criticism and distrust, they do not stagnate and feel overwhelmed by helplessness.

One such tool is fact-checking service. Such internet portals are being created, the employees of which deal with current verification of information available in the Internet or, for example, statements of public figures. In practice, this means that they carefully examine e.g. the information published in social media, analyze the sequence of events and entries, cite the sources in order to ultimately “expose” the manipulation, ignorance, or inconsistency with the facts, not to say lies. By the way, it is striking what information or posts and to what extent are fake-news.

The Internet is a wonderful tool that offers incredible opportunities. However, as with most things created by man – you need to use it with your head and set clear boundaries, beyond which, in a given context, you should unquestionably say “stop”. (and clearly know why you are saying that).