In 1990, digital was almost non-existent. Today, it is becoming difficult, if not impossible, to do without it. Smartphones, computers, tablets, etc. have taken an important place in our lives and have modified our social behaviors. These tools allow us constant connectivity and have brought us into the “digital age” at lightning speed.
In 2019, 82 % of Belgian households 1 have one or more laptops and more than 85% have an Internet connection. A 2015 GSMA 2 study predicts that a household of 4 people in a European country will have almost 50 connected digital devices in 2022.
Digital technology embodies the idea of progress in our time and many economic and political actors agree to encourage it. It offers greater efficiency, communication and security through data collection, optimization, etc. If public opinion is to be believed, digital technology would even be essential to the fight against global warming. It would reduce our emissions by 15 to 20% by 2030. Also, the race for digitalization and innovation marks all areas of society: education, work, development cooperation, etc. representing a formidable market for investors and a key growth sector for our policymakers.
While it is certain that digital technology allows gains in terms of effectiveness or efficiency, it seems important to us to make a dissonant voice heard, going against the dominant discourse.
