kuwait national ict indicators 2016 internet usage report

www.e.gov.kwwww.cait.gov.kw

www.e.gov.kwwww.cait.gov.kw

KUWAIT NATIONAL ICT INDICATORS 2016

INTERNET USAGE REPORT

His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

The Amir of the State of Kuwait

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al- Jaber Al -Sabah

The Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait

His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah

The Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait

Foreword

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah

State Minister of Cabinet Aff airs

Chairman of The Central Agency for Information Technology

As we live today in the age of information and communication technology (ICT), information and the internet play a major role in our daily lives not only at the level of individuals and society but also at the level of businesses and government institutions. The development of nations and societies is measured today by the extent of their progress in this fi eld, in particular the aspects related to information society, digital transformation and competitiveness, with their impact on individuals and socio-economic dimensions.

From here comes the importance given by the State of Kuwait to develop and measure its ICT indicators in a national eff ort conducted by the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), based on global best practices and references in this area. They represent the achievements of the State of Kuwait in this fi eld and refl ect its current situation with providing related data and results for all concerned.

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Central Agency for Information Technology for its eff ort in accomplishing the measurement of the ICT indicators for the State of Kuwait, wishing the agency all the success.

Introduction

Qusai Ibrahim Al-Shatti

Acting Director General and Deputy Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology

The Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), in conducting the study of National ICT indicators, sought to provide data and information about the current situation of the State of Kuwait in the field of ICT that reflect its achievements related to information society through its development efforts. These indicators assist us in producing results and exploring future trends.

The Central Agency for Information Technology followed global best practices and international references to produce these indicators. In this regard, questionnaires, surveys, desk research and statistical analysis were conducted at state level. The study was conducted in the eight areas: infrastructure and access, household usage, business usage, ICT manpower, ICT market, ICT usage in education, ICT usage in government, and internet usage. This report presented to you is part of this study.

I extend my sincere thanks to all my colleagues at The Central Agency for Information Technology who participated in conducting and supervising this study. I would like also to extend my sincere thanks to Rawasi Consultancy and IDC International for conducting this study and for their effort in knowledge and experience transfer to all involved government agencies.

Acknowledgements

CAIT is very grateful to the Oxford Internet Survey for permission to use some of the items in its 2013 questionnaire.

Dutton, W.H. and Blank, G. with support of Groselj, D. (2013) Cultures of the Internet: The Internet in Britain. Oxford Internet Survey 2013. Oxford: Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. http://www.oxis.ox.ac.uk

1. INTRODUCTION 13Methodology 13

Survey demographics 13

Key Findings 15

2. ADOPTION 17Ubiquitous Access 17

Digital Households, Mobility & Changing Infrastructure 18

Experience 19

Skill and Expertise 20

3. CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTITUDES OF INTERNET USERS 23

Characteristics of Users 23

Attitudes Toward the Internet 24

4. PURPOSES OF THE INTERNET USE 26Information Seeking 26

Leisure Online 29

Online Services 30

Creativity and Production 31

5. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 34Use of Government Services 34

Civic and Political Participation Among Kuwaitis 35

6. RESHAPING SOCIAL NETWORKS AND FRIENDSHIPS 37Communication and Social Networking 37

Social Network Sites 42

Socializing on Social Networks 46

7. IMPACT OF INTERNET USE 50

Centrality of the Internet 50

Media Habits: The Internet, Television and Newspapers 51

Personal, Financial and Economic Opportunities 54

Table of Contents

8. REGULATION AND CONTROL 58

Concerns: Bad Experiences and the Internet 58

Children’s Regulation 60

Government Regulation 63

9. CONCLUSIONS 64

KUWAIT’S OVERALL POSITION AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES 64

Situation Summary 64

Conclusions 65

13

1 Introduction

Methodology

The objective of this project was three-fold, to:

• Collect data on the Internet usage in the Stage of Kuwait

• Gain insights on how consumers use the Internet and for what purposes

• Provide objective data on indicators of Internet usage, to facilitate policy-making and tracking of changes over time

This report has been based on a questionnaire designed by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII).Some questions of the questionnaire have been localized to reflect the nature of the Kuwaiti culture and habits. The Oxford Internet Survey 2013 Report was used as the base reference for this report.

The analysis provided in this document is based on primary and secondary research. In order to provide necessary data and statistics on the state of ICT use among consumers in Kuwait, CAIT conducted a survey involving 10,255 respondents. Secondary research findings were added to the overall analysis to complement the results of the survey and provide relevant benchmarks, where applicable.

Survey demographics

Demographic Profile

In this survey, respondents were distributed by gender, age, marital status, geographically, and by nationality as shown below.

With respect to age distribution, 66.6% of respondents were of age between 20 and 44 years.

Most respondents were married, representing 57% of the interviewed population.

Figure 1: Gender

Figure 3: Martial Status

Figure 2: Age

Male

Female

25-34 years

35-44 years

45-54 years

20-24 years

15-19 years

Single

Married

Widowed

Divorced

45% 55%

23.1%

57.9%39.7%

1.6% 0.9%

13.9%

12.7%

11.9%

7.5%

30.8%

Base: 10,255

Base: 10,255

Base: 10,255

55 years orabove

14

-

Farwaniah -

Jahraa -

Ahmedi -

Kuwait City (Capital) -

Figure 4: Governorate

Figure 5: Nationality

Figure 6: Education Level

Figure 7: Lifestage

Among the 10,255 respondents, over 60% were of Kuwaiti nationality, followed by Asian Expats and by Arab Expats.

Among the responding population, almost 7 out of 10 were employed. 2 out of 10 were students.

Education levels varied but over 90% of respondents fell into one of three categories: secondary education, above secondary, or university graduates. As a matter of fact, 65.0% have an above-secondary education level, i.e. people with diploma, bachelor, master and PhD degree.

15.7%

21.8%

19.8%

13%

21.6%

8.2%

68.4%

Employed

19.7%

Student

7.0%

Doing Housework

3.1%

Retired

1.2%

Unemployed

0.6%

Other, Refused

Base: 10,255

Base: 10,255

Base: 10,255

Base: 10,255

Hawalli -

Mubarak Al-Kabeer

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Others

Asian Expat60.1%

16.2%

22.4%

1.3%

34.4%

University Graduate (Bachelor)

29.9%

Secondary

29.1%

Above Secondary but less than unversity (Diplomas)

3.0%

Preparatory and Vocational

1.6%

Primary

1.5%

Post-graduate (Masters or Ph.D.)

0.2%

Read and write

0.1%

Illiterate

15

Respondents were distributed across socio-economic classes, where the classes are defined as follows:

• Class A: People such as owners of large companies, merchants/businessmen, directors and high government officials.

• Class B: People such as professionals (architects, MD, financial consultants, computer programmers, lawyers and judges, university and higher education teachers, senior journalists), owners medium size companies, senior managers in medium size companies, senior officers in armed forces or police, senior civil servants.

• Class C1: People such as secondary education teachers, professionals of lower grade (technicians, juniorscientists, aircraft mechanics, commercial artists and designers), civil servants (middle grade), junior officers in armed forces or police, owners of shops (other than groceries) or small companies, merchants, contractors.

• Class C2: People such as primary school teachers, employees in private offices (typists, clerks, bookkeepers, accountants, receptionists, telephone operators), bank employees, cashiers, lower grade civil servants, supervisors of sales people or other employees, technicians or technical assistants (electronic or mechanical assistants, draughtsmen), owners of groceries or kiosks/ very small companies/ merchants.

Figure 8: Socio-Economic Class

C1 C2

8,7%

26,9%

34,1%

20,2%

9,4%

0,6%

A B D E

• Class D: People such as drivers (taxi, buses, trucks, crane-operators), factory supervisors and foremen, farmers and fishermen, shepherds, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tailors, butchers, cooks, shop assistants & salesmen, waiters, barbers, hairdressers, low clerks, storekeepers.

• Class E: People such as watchmen, night-guards, doorkeepers, messengers, office boys, streetvendors, unemployed, farmhands, unskilled workers, servants/maids.

Key Findings

• Nearly 100% of respondents use the Internet. Nearly everyone owns a mobile phone, and mobile phones are the most common means of Internet use, though most households also have computers and home Internet access.

• Internet use does not seem to be a challenge. Most people claim to have good or excellent Internet skills, and nearly everyone thinks it is easy to get help if needed.

• People see many advantages of Internet use, but some disadvantages. It makes life easier; makes it easier to stay in touch; and is good for finding information. Disadvantages identified include addictiveness and immoral content.

• People use the Internet for many different purposes: nearly everyone uses it as a means of finding information, entertainment and leisure, creating content, and socializing and communicating with others.

• Most people conduct some online transactions. Bill payment is most common, while just over half of people buy products online.

• The Internet is now the most common source of information for most people.As a source of information, the Internet is far more important than any other medium.

Base: 10,255

16

• There is a strong consensus that Internet use at work improves people’s ability to do their jobs. Over half of people use the Internet at work.

• Nearly everyone engages in some creative activities online, especially sharing photos and updating online profiles on social networks.

• The Internet is a critical tool for the population to interact with government. It is the most widely used means of getting information about government services, and it is a key way for people to share political opinions.

• Instant messaging, social networks, and email are the most common types of online communication.

• Bad experiences are common online, especially with viruses and immoral content. Most people think that parents have the greatest responsibility in restricting content for children. However, most people seem unfamiliar with parental control features. Education of the population about how they can manage content better could be very helpful.

• Most respondents see a role for the government in regulating the Internet, and some would like to see stronger regulation than now. However, because Internet technologies and vendors continue to evolve rapidly, regulatory practices need to evolve with the market. Kuwait may be best served by working with industry participants to best achieved desired regulation of the online experience.

17

The adoption of computing technologies and the use of Internet are high in Kuwait. Nearly everyone in Kuwait has a mobile phone and smartphones are the predominant platform for online activities.

Most people access Internet at home (their own or someone else’s). In that respect, 87.9% of households have Internet access at home, mostly provided by a telephone company. The research results suggest that many of those non-Internet households will get equipped with Internet access at home in the next 12 months.

Mobile Internet access while travelling is also very common, less so the use of Internet at work or at an Internet Café.

People use mobile phones not only for making calls and for sending SMS, but nearly all of them engage in some kind of online social activities. 80% of people in Kuwait self-assess their Internet skills as good or excellent. Respondents are most confident in their critical (i.e. judge reliability of online content) and creative skills (i.e. upload photos, download music).

2 Adoption

In addition, nearly everyone believes it is easy to get help using the Internet, when needed. That said, this is less so for older people and people with lower education, as well as those with lower socio-economic class.

Ubiquitous Access(QC1 and QH13) At which places do you access the Internet?

Nearly everyone uses the Internet, especially at home. Other environments, such as when people are on the move (e.g. while traveling) and use mobile to go online, and at other person’s home are reaching almost the levels of Internet access at home. Accessing Internet at work and at Internet Café is less common, however still important, at 64.1% and 58.5% respectively.

Base Overall: All Respondents; N=10.255 for “Anywhere” ; N=3.072 by location

Base of Kuwaitis: N=6161 for “Anywhere” ; N=1919 by location

Figure 9: Locations of Internet Use – Kuwaitis (QC1 and QH13)

OverallKuwaitis

99.6%

99.6%

99.7%

99.7%

96.3%

94.5%

93.2%

90.8%

54.8%

64.1%

66.0%

58.5%

32.7%

26.3%

26.1%

34.2%

Anywhere

At home

On the move/while travelling(e.g. through mobile phone)

Another person’s home

At work

Internet cafe

Public library

At School/University

18

Televisions remain more common than computers in households. Almost all households in Kuwait have a television at home; around half of these households have three or more televisions. That said, even though the number of computers has not reached the number of TVs, the computer penetration is high, with above 86% of respondents confirming to have at least one computer in the household.

Digital Households, Mobility & Changing

Computer penetration of households is high, correlated with the socio-economic status.

Figure 10: Number of Computers in The Households by Socio-Economic Class (QH9)

(QH9) What is the number of working computers in the household?

Figure 11: Number of Computers in The Kuwaiti Households (QH9)

Figure 12: Computer and Television Access in The Household (QH8 and QH9)

A A

2.8% 5.6% 8.7%

15.8% 19.3%29.1%

20.4%

41.8%52.2%

39.3%30.6%

12.4% 10%

38.7%

32.5% 29.2%36.7%

31.6%25.1%

18.9%

B BC1 C1C2 C2D D

Computer penetration of Kuwaiti households is higher than in the rest of the population.

Computers

Kuwaitis None

13,4%

3,0%

30,4%

23,8%29,0%

24,7%27,1%

48,5%

One Two

Thre

e or

mor

eTw

o

Non

eO

ne

Televisions

Overall Three or moreBase: 3,462

Base: 3,462

None38.7%

22.1%

One13.4%

6.4%

Three or more27.1%

37.7%

Two29%

33.8%

Thelowest computer penetration is among lower socio-economic classes. Almost 1/3 of these people do not have any computer in the household, compared to only 2.8% in the highest socio-economic class. On the contrary, around half of people in the highest socio-economic class have three or more computers at home.

For definitions of socio-economic categories, see Figure 8 and the associated notes above.

(QH9 and QH8) What is the number of television sets in the household?

Infrastructure

19

Experience

(QH1) Does your household have access to the Internet?

Most homes have Internet access. The portion of people with Internet access at home at present reached 87.9%. Households have had Internet connections on average for 5.6 years.

88.5% of Kuwaiti homes have Internet access, which is slightly more than the population on average.

(QH2) Do you have plans to get Internet access in the next 12 months?

Nearly 1/4 the households without Internet said they plan to get Internet access at home in the next 12 months. Another around 40.3% expressed certain uncertainty, but will likely have it in the next 12 months as well. Only about 5% of non-Internet respondents do not have plans for introducing it at home.

Half of the Kuwaiti non-Internet households will likely have it in the next 12 months.

Figure 13: Use of Features on Mobile Phones – Kuwaitis (QH12)

Figure 14: Internet Access At Home – Kuwaitis (QH1)

(QH12) What do you use your mobile phone for?

0.7%

0.4%

3.6%

88.5%

4.2%

87.9%

Kuwaitis Overall

Making phone calls/Talking to others

Browse the Internet

Browse or update a social network...

Sending text messages

Sending photos

Post a photo or video online

Listening to music (MP3s)

Use a softwate application or app

Finding directions or location

Sending or reading email

Playing games

Base: Mobile phone users; N=3,442

N=3,462 N=2,098

7.5%

7.3%

Nearly all respondents use the Internet on mobile phones. Browsing online is nearly as common as making calls, followed closely by sending text messages, using social networking sites, and sending photos. In other words, social activities over the Internet are very common in Kuwait. Mobile phones have become an important medium for other types of entertainment as well, such as for listening music and playing games.

99.6%

99.5%

98.2%96.7%

92.2%

93.6%

94.5%92.9%

93.5%92.8%

87.6%87.3%

83.7%83.6%

90.4%80.5%

86.9%79.2%

80.4%79.0%

75.2%72.6%

Yes, I have access in the present

Don’t have access now but had in the past

No, never had access

Don’t know

20

A TelephoneCompany

92.4%

97.3%

37.9%

49.3%

Internet CompanyProvider

Provider of Internet access to members of household (QH4)

Figure 15: Plans to Get Internet Access at Home in The Next 12 Months (QH2)

Figure 17: Self-Rated Ability to Use The Internet (QH6)

Figure 18: Self-Rated Ability of Kuwaitis to Use The Internet (QH6)

Figure 16: Provider of Internet access to members of Kuwaiti household& Satisfaction with Internet Speed (QH4)

23.7%14.9%

6.1%10.1%

4.9% 6.4%

8.7%0.5% 0.6%

24.7%24.6%

Definitely not

Poor

Probably not

Fair

Yes, probably will

Good

Yes, definitely

Excellent

Don’t know

Very Poor

Poor Fair Good ExcellentVery Poor

40.3% 44.3%

30.1%35.4%

46.1%

6.7%

50.3%

12.4%9.2%

N=405Base: those without internet at home: 405

Satisfaction with Internet Speed (QH6)

Don’t know

0.5% 0.5% 5.3% 4.7%

Fast enough It depends onwhat I am doing

Too slow

N=228

(QH4) Do members of your household get access to the Internet at home through a telephone company or through an internet company provider, or both?

Telephone companies are the main Internet providers.

(QH6) Are you satisfied with the Internet speed?

Few complain of problems with speed.

55.9% 59.3%

38.4% 35.5%

Overall Kuwaitis

Base: 3,042

Base: 3,042

Base: 3,072

Overall Kuwaitis

Base: 3,072

Skill and Expertise

(QC6) What is your ability to use the Internet?

Over 80% claim to have good or excellent Internet skills. To be more specific, half of the respondents said their ability to use Internet is good, another 12.4% claim to have fair Internet skills. 6.7% believes their Internet skills are very poor. Skills are strongest among the young and well educated.

Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis feel they have strong Internet skills, though Kuwaitis are more likely than others to claim to have poor skills.

6.7%0.5%

30.1%

50.3%

12.4%

21

Figure 19: Specific Internet Skills by Life Stage (% of users who are fairly to very confident) (QC23)

Figure 20: Specific Internet Skills of Kuwaitis by Life Stage (% of users who are fairly to very confident) (QC23)

(QC5) How easily could you find someone to help you use the Internet?

Figure 21: Difficulty Getting Help to Use The Internet (QC5)

72.8%

71.3% 69.4% 66.3% 65.9% 63.7%59.8%

75,2%71.9%

Base: 3,072

Base: 3,072

Base: 3,072Critical skill: Judge reliability of online content. Creative skill: Upload photos, download music. Social skill: Participate in discussion, make new friends online. Technical skill: Remove a virus.

Critical skill: Judge reliability of online content. Creative skill: Upload photos, download music. Social skill: Participate in discussion, make new friends online. Technical skill: Remove a virus.

% who will believe it would be difficult or very difficult to find help

Critical

Critical Technical Social Creative

Technical

Social

Creative

Overall

No qualification

Age 55 or above

Most respondents are confident in various kinds of Internet skills. Retirees are least confident overall, but only by a small margin. Respondents are most confident in their critical (i.e. judge reliability of online content) and creative skills (i.e. upload photos, download music). In more advanced activities, such as technical skills (i.e. remove a virus), the variance between categories of respondents is relatively small, however people doing housework seem best skilled for these activities. On the other hand, students are best skilled for critical and social activities.

Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis are similarly confident in their Internet skills.

The vast majority (98%) believes it is easy to get help using the Internet, if needed. The older people are, the lower socio-economic class, and the lower level of education leads to higher likelihood of having difficulties to get help in how to use the Internet.

71.0%

73.5%

62.8%

65.9%

73.3%

76.6%

64.2%

59.1%

70.0%

67.1%

68.9%

61.6%

65.1%

50.6%

65.1%

Student Employed Retired Doing Housework

Overall Kuwaitis

2.0%

6.1%

4.8%

22

The vast majority overall and of Kuwaitis believes it is easy to get help using the Internet, if needed.

Figure 22: Difficulty Getting Help to Use The Internet– Kuwaitis (QC5)

Base: All respondents=3,072

Overall

No qualification

Kuwaitis

2.0%

1.8%

6.1%

4.8%Age 55 or above

23

Throughout the study, respondents confirmed the high impact and relevancy of the Internet use. Almost everyone in Kuwait is convinced that the Internet makes life easier, and it is highly important way of communicating with others.Recognizing the benefits, it is an important finding that all disabled people interviewed use the Internet. Nevertheless, there are also challenges that come along with the Internet use such as: the Internet can be addictive, there is immoral content available online, and people waste a lot of time online.

Characteristics of Users

Internet use at work increases by education level, and is more common among men than among women. More than 3/4 of respondents with higher education use Internet at work. Internet use at work is far more common among Asians than Arabs and Kuwaitis, among males than females, and those with higher education.

Most of those who use the Internet at work use it for a variety of work-related purposes. Learning new skills is most common. Using the Internet as a tool to communicate with others is very common. Using Internet to facilitate online meetings is least common activity recorded, along with using the company’s intranet.

Asian expats use social media at work more than Kuwaitis or Arab expats, while using company intranets much less.

Figure 23: Internet Use at Work by Gender and Level of Education (QC1)

Figure 24: Internet Activities At Work (QO13 and QO14)

(QO13 and QO14)Thinking about the different things people do online at work. have you ever used the Internet to do the following activities?

Asian Expat

Learn new work related skills

Collaborate with colleagues on common projects

Read or send work email or other electronic messages

Update your Facebook page or Tweet while at work

Use search engines (e.g. Google) to find info for work

Read items or info on your organization’s Intranet

Watch work related videos

Advertise yourself or your services

Meet new coleagues in other workplaces

Post on your organization’s Intranet

Participate in meetings over the InternetMale

N=623

N=488

N=1919

N=1465

N=1607

N=1199

N=876

N=866

N=131

Kuwaiti

Further education

Arab Expat

Higher education

Female

Basic qualification

No qualification

92.1%

84.7%

67.9%

80.8%

64.1%

79.0%

58.3%

70.7%

56.3%

68.5%

45.9%

43.4%68.9%

65.4%

77.2%

54.8%

56.7%

58.9%

56.5%

45%

3. Characteristics and Attitudes of

Base: All respondents N=3,072

Base: Respondents who use Internet at work; N=1550

Internet Users

24

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Attitudes toward the Internet

There is strong agreement that the Internet provides advantages, but also many agreed that there are drawbacks. There is nearly universal agreement that the Internet makes life easier. In addition, Internet was identified as an important medium for intermediating communication between people, and for finding relevant information. Significant percentages of people of all types agree that there are problems with the Internet, such as getting addicted to it, and the availability of immoral content.

Figure 25: Internet Activities At Work by Nationality (QO13 and QO14)

Figure 27: Internet Attitudes (QI2 and QI8)

Figure 26: Use of The Internet by Disabled Respondents (QH13 and QD16)

(QI2 and QI8) Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.

85.11%

82.96%

83.91%

79.69%

79.26%

81.31%

72.53%

80.37%

82.43%

73.69%

66.30%

70.54%

69.25%

73.70%

66.21%

61.90%

68.89%

71.41%

79.69%

64.07%

54.21%

32.11%

65.19%

72.77%

53.00%

54.81%

59.90%

25.15%

94.5%

92.5%

89.9%

84.0%

80.5%

78.8%

67.7%

64.9%

51.2%

25.1%

55.19%

57.18%

22.44%

45.56%

56.93%

Learn new work related skills

100.0%

DisabledN=60

Not DisabledN=3,653

99,8%

Collaborate with colleagues on common projects

Read or send work email or other electronic messages

Update your Facebook page or Tweet while at work

The Internet makes life easier

The Internet allows people to keep in touch with others

The Internet is an efficient means for finding information

It is easier to meet people online than in person

The Internet helps to save time

When I am online I don’t feel lonely

The use of the Internet can be addictive

There is too much immoral material on the Internet

I waste too much time on the Internet

The Internet is frustrating to work with

Use search engines (e.g. Google) to find info for work

Read items or info on your organization’s Intranet

Watch work related videos

Advertise yourself or your services

Meet new coleagues in other workplaces

Post on your organization’s Intranet

Participate in meetings over the Internet

Base: Respondents who use Internet at work; N=1,550

Base: All users; N=3,462

Base: All respondents; N=3,721

100% of disabled respondents are Internet users.

25

Figure 28: Internet Attitudes by Nationality (QI2 and QI8)

95.5%

91.5%

95.0%

98.7%

91.7%

90.4%

90.9%

92.1%

88.8%

92.5%

80.7%

81.9%

88.2%

73.8%

79.6%

54.7%

70.5%

67.1%

13.8%

28.8%

28.5%

The Internet makes life easier

When I am online I don’t feel lonely

The Internet allows people to keep in touch with others

The use of the Internet can be addictive

The Internet is an efficient means for finding information

There is too much immoral material on the Internet

It is easier to meet people online than in person

I waste too much time going through irrelevant informationon the Internet to get to what i’m looking for

The Internet is frustrating to work with

The Internet helps to save time

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Base: All users; N=3,462 Kuwaiti base: N=2,098

% who are agree or strongly agree

Mor

e A

rab

Exp

ats

agre

ed a

bout

som

e po

siti

vene

ss o

f the

Inte

rnet

Few

er A

rab

Exp

ats

agre

ed a

bout

nega

tive

s of

the

Inte

rnet

30.1%

50.1%

52.77%

55.7%

90.3%

71.4%

74.9%

71.6%

75.8%

26

4. Purposes of the Internet Use

Whether on tablet, laptop, desktop or on mobile, Internet is frequently used for information search. In fact, it is often the first source of information. This information looked for varies, in majority of cases it is practical information such as health related advice, and entertainment such as finding a nearby event or interesting jokes online. Most people do not visit a specific website when looking for articles of interest, usually they use search engines. Doing some kind of leisure activity online is almost universal, people engage with posting or looking at photos online, watching videos, and more. Retired people are less likely than others to engage in this type of activities. From all the respondents, more than half of them is used to

The Internet is only one of many different sources of information people use. When adding together Internet on desktop/laptop/tablet and Internet on smartphone, the Internet is by far the first choice for all types of information listed.

Figure 29: First Choice Source of Information (QA1)

(QA1) Where would you go first. if you were looking for information on the following?

54.7%

43.6%

28.2%34.3%

46.2%

34.6%

23.9%

14.9%9.8%

17.6%9.7%12.6%

11.3% 13.6%

27.3%

12.3%13.5%6.2%

33% 36.5%

24.9%

13.2%9.1%4.7%

1.9%5.3% 5.9%

1.5% 1.7%

24.1%


The name of your local member of

parliamnt

Planning a journeyor a holiday

A book that you heard about

Local schools A topic or issue for a professional,

school or personal project

A company, or if you have a problem with a product or service

Internet on your desktop/laptop/tablet

Go to a book or directory

Personally visit a person or location

Use the telephone

do transactions online, use Internet for search product prices, comparisons and make product purchases online. However, there is a room for eCommerce growth. Few people sell things online or manage investments online.

Information Seeking

Use the Internet on your smartphone

27

Figure 30: First Choice Source of Information by Nationality (QA1)

55.2%48.2% 49.1%

39.2%29.7%

37.0%40.0%

36.9%

49.7%

21.9% 19.9% 22.6%

64.5%

36.7% 34.5% 31.8% 31.2% 36.8%

7.2%0.9% 3.4% 4.5% 2.4% 2.2% 3.6%

20.4%

7.1% 9.4%15.6%

6.5%1.7% 0.3% 1.1% 0.8% 0.3% 0.7%

8.4%

21.2%14.6% 10.7%

15.9%11.5%

8.0%

20.4% 14.7% 10.1% 13.4% 10.3%

1.5% 2.6%

44.6%

4.1% 2.0% 0.9%

10.5% 11.7%4.9%

25.4%33.2%

18.7%

12.7%16.1%

6.2%

31.7%

40.9%

30.0%

1.8%

14.3%

3.2%

55.0%

41.1% 38.8%

27.9% 34.1%

16.3%

6.8%

25.3%

3.7%

16.6%12.0% 12%

8.0%14.5% 17.2%

28.3%

8.0%12.5%

18.8%

32.6%

2.6% 0.4% 1.5% 0.3%

19.1%17.2% 14.3%

2.1% 6.1%

20.0%

5.7%1.6% 2.3%1.8% 5.2%

12.1%8.3%

0.5% 0.9%

Base: All respondents

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

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Use

the

Inte

rnet

on

your

sm

artp

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Inte

rnet

on

your

de

skto

p/la

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/tab

let

Go

to a

boo

k or

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rect

ory

Per

sona

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isit

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rson

or

loca

tion

Use

the

tele

phon

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on’t

know

The name of your local member of

parliament

Planning a journey or

holiday

A book that you heard about

Local schools A topic or issue for a professional, school

or personal projct

A company, or if you have a problem with

product service

28

(QC24) When you look for information online. do you go to specific pages. use a search engine such as Google. Bing or Yahoo!. or do you do both about the same?

(QC21) How often do you go online for the following purposes?

Search engines serve a critical function as the main way of finding information online. Overall, almost 4 out of 10 respondents use mainly a search engine, whereas 3 out of 10 go to specific pages. The same portion, 3 out of 10, use both approaches for searching information online.

Figure 31: Ways to Look for Information Online (QC24)

Figure 32: Types of Information Sought Online (QC21)

28.4%

42.3%

21.6%

32.9%

43.2%

22.8%

29.5%

41.3%

28.8%

27.3%

34.6%

38.0%

No qualification

Further education

Basic qualification

Higher education

Mainly go to specific pages

Mainly use a search engine (e.g. Google or Yahoo!)

Both about the same

N=208


% who seek the information online more then never

N=1117

N=1113

N=1283

Looking for news

Looking for sports information

Getting information about local events

Looking something up to help settle an argument or disagreement

Finding information about health or medical care

Looking for the latest celebrity news

Finding information about other people (e.g. googling them)

Making travel plans

To get jokes, cartoons or other humorous content

Looking for jobs, work

92.3%

80.0%

90.8%

76.4%

90.4%

75.4%

85.5%

61.5%

80.0%

36.4%

Kuwaitis and Arab expats have similar uses of the internet to find information, except in job hunting (done more by expat Arabs) and travel planning (done more Kuwaitis, 72%) with expat Asians lagging behind in most cases.

Among the Kuwaiti population, more than 9 out of 10 Kuwaitis use the Internet for looking for news (94.4%), for getting information about events nearby (93.8%), for looking up information about health or medical care (94.9%), and about other people (91.0%).

29

Figure 33: Types of Information Sought Online by Nationality (QC21)

Figure 34: Leisure Activities Online (QC31 and QC11)

Asian Expat Arab Expat Kuwaiti



N=3462

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=3,072

N=3462

N=3462

% who seek the information online more then never

Looking at pictures or photos online

Watching TV programs on the Internet

Watching videos or movies online

Looking at religious or spiritual sites

Surfing or browsing the web

Downloading music

Listening to music online

Playing online games

Downloading videos

Uploading videos or music files

99.8%

95.1%

94.8%

94.0%

93.8%

93.5%

92.1%

91.6%

85.6%

83.2%

83.6%

97.6%

94.4%

82.5%

92.1%

93.8%

78.6%

92.3%

94.9%

69.6%

89.4%

91.0%

64.4%

85%

85%

66.3%

86.3%

83.8%

55.2%

83.9%

83.0%

65.5%

81.3%

77.6%

36.7%

37.6%

59.5%

49.7%

72.4%

31.4%

Looking for news

Looking something up to help settle an argument or disagreement

Getting information about local events

Looking for the latest celebrity news

Finding information about health or medical care

Making travel plans

Finding information about other people (e.g. googling them)

Looking for jobs, work



Leisure Online

Nearly 100% of respondents enjoy online leisure activities, be it reviewing pictures on the Internet, watching videos and movies, listening to music, and many more. The frequency of enjoying these activities is higher for younger population, and among men.

Asians surf the Internet and look at religious sites a bit less than others do.

30

Figure 35: Leisure Activities Online by Nationality (QC31 and QC11)

Figure 36: Buying and Using Services Online (QC30)


% who seek the inform action online more then never

99.8%

99.6%

99.9%

94.8%

95.9%

95.1%

82.0%

97.3%

98.9%

91.9%

93.3%

94.9%

97.0%

92.6%

93.1%

97.3%

90.3%

93.2%

80.8%

93.7%

96.0%

94.4%

88.3%

91.5%

80.5%

74.9%

83.9%

84.1%

87.9%

86.0%

Looking at pictures or photos online

Looking at religious or spiritual sites

Watching videos or movies online

Downloading music

Surfing or browsing the web


Listening to music online

Uploading videos or music files

Downloading videos

Watching TV programs on the Internet

N=3462

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=6534

N=3,072

N=3462

N=3462


Online Services

Most people do some transactions on the Internet, but many kinds of online shopping have much room for growth. Paying bills online is very common in Kuwait with over 70% of people doing so, which is a lot more than it was in the UK in 2013( 57%). Online shopping (comparing or buying products) is fairly commonin Kuwait, with about 6 out of 10 people doingthis), still farless than it was in the UK in 2013 (87%). The results also suggest that more than half of the population is using online bank services and is using the Internet for making travel arrangements. Selling things online and investing online are done only by a minority.

Online shopping varies by income level, but it is common even in many lower-income levels, and it can still grow even in the highest income levels.

(QC30) How often. if ever. do you go online for the following purposes?


Paying bills

Finding the location of a house, office, store, or restaurant

Ordering groceries or food online

Comparing products and prices

Buying a product online

Selling things online

Using your bank’s online services

Checking investments in stocks/funds/bonds

Making travel reservations/bookings

Investing in stocks/funds/bonds

71.5%

62.5%

55.6%

54.2%

53.9%

51.5%

39.4%

24.3%

14.7%

12.5%

31

Figure 37: Buying and Using Services Online by Nationality (QC30)

Figure 38: Engaging in Creative Activities Online (QC8 and QC9)


53.7%

56.3%

55.3%

61.9%

81.2%

67.6%

45.3%

39.5%

64.0%

37.5%

38.2%

65.4%

27.2%

50.8%

66.1%

47.2%

47.3%

54.0%

30.2%

30.0%

45.4%

11.8%

21.6%

29.6%

7.2%

5.8%

14.2%

10.0%

17.4%

15.7%

Paying bills

Ordering groceries or food online

Comparing products and prices

Selling things online

Buying a product online

Checking investments in stocks/funds/bonds

Using your bank’s online services

Investing in stocks/funds/bonds

Making travel reservations/bookings

Finding the location of a house, office, store or restaurant


Creativity and Production

Nearly everyone engages in some creative activities online, mostly involving posting or reposting to social networks.In general, social activities associated with photos and videos are more popular than messaging and writing of some kind (e.g. writing a blog). Participation in creative activities online differs by age and life stage, but not greatly by socio-economic category. Retired people are less likely to engage in this type of activities, which is aligned with the negative correlation between age and engaging in creative activities.

(QC8 and QC9) Now I would like you to think about the different things people do online?

Base: All respondents; N=3721 for QC8, N=3,072 for QC9

Re-post or share photos someone else took

Post messages on discussion or message boards

Post videos you made

Post photos that you took

Check or update profile on a social network

Participate in chat rooms

Re-post or share videos made by others

Post your own writing

Make or receive phone calls over the Internet

Write a blog

Maintain a personal website

92.3%

91.5%

89.2%

88.3%

85.4%

75.4%

74.9%

65.3%

63.4%

56.2%

49.8%

32

Nationalities have similar participation in many

creative activities, though Asian expats are much

less likely to post their own videos or maintain

websites. Over 90% of Kuwaiti population engages

in re-posting and sharing photos online, checking

or updating their profile on a social network site,

and re-posting/ sharing videos online. Making or

receiving calls over the Internet is more common

for Asian and Arab Expats than for Kuwaitis. As

another interesting observation, Kuwaitis and

Arab Expats are most active in writing a blog,

posting own writing and maintaining a personal

website.

Figure 39: Engaging in Creative Activities Online by Nationality (QC8 and QC9)

97.0%

87.7%

94.4%

88.3%

92.7%

90.9%

84.4%

92.6%

90.3%

78.0%

87.3%

91.9%

91.8%

90.8%

80.8%

64.9%

81.0%

78.0%

49.3%

81.8%

81.7%

70.5%

66.5%

62.6%

44.0%

26.9%

64.1%

61.3%

69.6%

56.1%

Re-post or share photos someone else took

Post videos you made

Asian participationis much lower

Post photos that you took


Check or update profile on a social network

Post your own writing

Re-post or share videos made by others





33

More than a third of respondents post photos at least once a day, and nearly two thirds at least once a week.

Kuwaitis post their photos online far more frequently than other nationalities do. 45.1% of Kuwaitis do so at least once a day, compared to 31.0% of Arab Expats, the next most active nationality in this respect.

Figure 40: Frequency of Posting Photos Online (QC9)

Figure 41: Frequency of Posting Photos Online by Nationality (QC9)

Asian ExpatArab ExpatKuwaiti

(QC9) How often do you post online photos that you took?

8.1%

0.0%

0.5%

0.5%

9.4%

19.5%

28.0%

9.5%

11.3%

9.0%

26.0%

8.6%

42.2%

16.4%

12.9%

40.0%

29.1%

24.0%

0.3%

5.0%

6.2%

24.8%

11.8%

33.3%

Never

Never

2.6%

12.3%

8.6%

Don’t know

Monthly

Less than monthly

Less than monthly

Weekly

Monthly

DailyWeekly

Several times a day

Several times a day

Daily



34

Use of Government Services

The Internet is a critical channel for accessing information about government services.Far more people use only online sources than only offline sources. The use of Internet is often accompanied by use of more traditional offline sources, such as face-to-face personal meetings or making enquiries over telephone.

Kuwaitis use a mix of online and offline sources to interact with government.

Get information about government

online services

Get information about Central Government

services, such as benefits, fees, driving licence or

passport

Pay for a Central Government tax, fine, license or service online

Get information about schools or

education

Look for information about government

officials or members of parliaments


policy on issues such as transport or

the environment

5. Government and Politics

When contacting a politician, people do not have a strong preference for an online or an offline channel to do so. However, for accessing information about government services, the Internet plays a crucial role. Whether is getting information online about fees, benefits, driving license, paying taxes, and more, having the possibility of doing so online is important and people use it, often in combination with offline sources. Almost 1/2 of people participate in several kinds of online political discourse. People are also active in commenting political and social topics, and women do so more than men.

(QC34) Did you do the following activities (related to the use of Government services) offline. online or have you done it both offline and online?

Figure 42: Use of Government Services Online (QC34)

42.8%

54.4%

47.8%42.5%

30.8%31.9%

27.9%

19.0%14.1%

17.6% 17.4% 17.8%

5.1% 6.3%

15.9%

6.7% 6.6% 4.2%

Yes, both online and offline

Yes, only Online

Yes, only Offline

Base: All respondents; N = 3,721

35

Civic and Political Participation Among Kuwaitis

Nearly half of Kuwaiti respondents participate in several kinds of online political discourse. Finding information that helps people to form their opinions and joining civic organizations are the most common activities. Commenting on political/social issues, and forwarding political jokes and commentary are nearly as popular.

Figure 44: Civic Participation Online Among Kuwaitis (QP3)

Figure 43: Use of Government Services Online by Nationality (QC34)

47.9%53.7%

32.4%

39.6%45.0%

50.6%

30.2%

21.2% 16.9%16.9% 19.4%21.3%24.2% 24.2%

15.7% 14.7% 12.9% 11.5%14.7%

16.3%

6.9%

22.3%17.4%

12.1%

6.0% 7.3%4.3%

10.3% 9.2% 9.6% 5.0%9.0% 4.0% 2.3% 3.4%3.4%

33.4%

2.4% 2.4% 2.6%3.7% 5.8%

41.9%

55.6% 55.3%

44.9%

26.0% 26.1% 25.0%

39.7%

50.3%

44.5%38.7%

27.3%

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aitis

Kuw

aiti

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Ara

b E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

Asi

an E

xpat

"Yes

, bot

h offl

ine

and

onlin

eYe

s, o

nly

onlin

eYe

s, o

nly

offlin

e

Get information about government online

services

Get information about Central Government

services, such as benefits, fees, driving licence or

passport

Pay for a Central Government tax, fine, license or service online

Get information about schools or

education

Look for information about

an government officials or

members of parliaments


policy on issues such as

transport or the environment


(QP3) In the last year. have you done any of the following? Find information which helps me form my opinion on a public issue

Commented on a political or social issue on a blog post, on Twitter or a

social network site

Forwarded or circulated funny videos, cartoons or jokes about a politician or

a political issue Forwarded or re-posted someone else's

political commentary or news related to a politician or a political issue

Contacted a politician , government or local government official

Joined another civic organisation or assotiation such as those involved in

environmental or human rights campain

Base: All Kuwaiti respondents; N = 2,144

49.8%

49.6%

46.9%

46.9%

45.6%

16.4%

% of respondents who have done the activities in the last year

36

A large share of Kuwaitis comment online about political and social issues. Women (especially those doing housework) do so more than men. Retired people are least active.

For the quarter of Kuwaitis who have contacted politicians or officials, online means of contact are nearly as important as offline means. Both online and offline means of contact remain important.

(QP3) In the last year. have you commented online on a political or a social issue?

(QP3a) In the last year. have you contacted a politician. government or local government official (e.g. your MP or a councilor)?

Figure 45: Kuwaitis Who Comment Online on a Political or Social Issue by Life Stage and Gender (QP3 & QC )

Figure 46: Kuwaitis Who Contacted a Politician or Government Official in The Last Year (QP3a)

Female

Online or offline

Doing Housework

Offline

Employed

Both online and offline

Student

Online only

Unemployed

Offline only

Retired

Male

Online

50.3%

24.7%

42.9%

16.4%

59.3%

18.9%

45.0%

10.6%

48.9%

5.8%

41.5%

8.3%

38.5%

37

6. Reshaping Social Networks and

The use of social networks is high in Kuwait across all ages, using social networks is common even for older people. Checking or updating personal profile on social networks is in fact the second most common type of online communication, just after chatting online. People perform various activities on social networking sites, and these are not only for the purpose of entertainment (such as posting photos, reading about someone, etc.). It is also very common to search for information via social networks. Meeting someone online on social networks is also by far not rare. The Internet does not seem to

Most people have similar levels of use of online communications. While almost all Arab and Asian Expats do instant messaging online (97.9% and 98.1% respectively), this activity is less common among Kuwaitis. That said, still a very high portion of them do so, at 86.1%. Reading or writing blogs, and maintaining personal websites is common

49.8%

56.2%

65.3%

73.4%

74.3%

75.4%

85.4%

89.0%

89.2%

91.1%Do instant messaging

Check or update your profile on a social network

Check your email



Send attachments with your email

Read a blog


Write a blog


% of respondents who have do the activities more than never


Figure 47: Types of Communication Online (QC8)

represent a significant threat to social interaction with others. For people with family and friends living nearby, making calls is still preferred over

electronic communication.

Communication and Social Networking

Instant messaging, social network profiles, and email are the most commonly used types of online communication. Personal websites are the least common tool for communicating online, but they are still used by half of the respondents.

especially for Kuwaitis and for Arab Expats, much less so for Asians. As an example, nearly 8 out of 10 Kuwaitis read a blog, and more than half of them maintain a personal website. This is true for 5 out of 10 Asian Expats reading a blog, and for slightly more than 1/4 of them maintaining a personal website.

Friendships

38

Figure 48: Types of Communication Online by Nationality (QC8)

Figure 49: Types of Communication Online by Education Level (QC8)

84.4%

92.6%

98.1%

94.86%

93.84%

92.13%

88.77%

81.37%

57.37%

49.26%

97.9%

94.43%

92.45%

90.39%

89.76%

81.04%

61.36%

58.22%

86.1%

85.76%

83.61%

86.66%

78.87%

65.80%

50.49%

43.06%

79.33%

68.75%

77.88%

75.48%

59.14%

52.40%

43.27%

90.3%

93.1%

86.5%

87.7%

91.8%

90.8%

80.8%

64.9%

81.0%

78.0%

74.4%

76%

73.6%

50.2%

84.5%

79.6%

70.5%

66.5%

62.6%

15.3%

26.9%

74.8%

61.3%

67.9%

56.1%

Do instant messaging


Check your email




Write a blog



Kuwaitis use instant

messaging less than others do

Asians are much less likely to blog or have personal websites


Write a blog

Check your email





Read a blog

Asian Expat

Higher Education

Arab Expat

Further Education

Kuwaiti

Basic Qualification

No Qualification% of respondents who have do the activities more than never




There is only moderate variation in use of online communications by education level. But in general, people with education level higher than basic are more prone to use various online communication channels. Unqualified people mostly do instant messaging or check and update their profile on social networking sites.

39

Figure 50: Types of Communication Online by Kuwaitis by Education Level (QC8)

90.3%

91.9%

91.6%

83.6%

80.8%

91.8%

93.3%

92.8%

88.0%

88.8%

79.2%

89.5%

83.9%

73.3%

68.9%

73.6%

72.2%

64.3%

71.4%

59.3%



Check your email



79.2%

84.9%

59.5%

69.2%

53.3%

81.4%

87.4%

77.1%

76.2%

70.2%

64.6%

72.0%

55.0%

61.8%

49.5%

55.7%

56.4%

45.7%

52.9%

34.3%


Read a blog


Write a blog


Higher Education

Further Education

Basic Qualification

No Qualification



Among Kuwaitis differences by education level are also moderate. Higher education still correlates with higher usage, but most of those with low education still use these services.

40

Figure 51: Types of Communication Online by Life Stage (QC8)

84.5% 61.0%

81.3% 78.5%

71.3% 54.2%

77.3% 69.7%

77.3% 60.6%

79.2% 72.9%

87.5% 77.1%

83.3% 62.5%

91.7% 62.5%

68.8% 45.8%

92.3% 65.8%

83.8% 72.7%

74.4% 61.5%

76.1% 67.5%

74.4% 52.1%

93.8% 76.6%

89.0% 71.5%

91.2% 65.9%

88.4% 51.1%

75.5% 46.1%

85.2% 72.7%

93.7% 78.5%

90.3% 67.9%

79.6% 67.8%

75.4% 59.6%

Do instant messaging Send attachments with your email

Check or update your profile on a social network Read a blog

Check your email Participate in chat rooms

Make or receive phone calls over the Internet Write a blog

Post messages on discussion or message boards Maintain a personal website

Doing Housework

Unemployed

Employed

Student

Retired



41

Figure 52: Types of Communication Online by Kuwaitis by Life Stage (QC8)

81.9% 60.8%

81.4% 78.4%

69.4% 54.8%

77.4% 75.4%

80.4% 62.8%

75.6% 70.7%

85.4% 75.6%

80.5% 65.9%

90.2% 68.3%

68.3% 51.2%

92.3% 65.8%

83.8% 72.7%

74.4% 61.5%

76.1% 67.5%

74.4% 52.1%

88.2% 77.6%

90.9% 82.6%

90.9% 62.2%

84.0% 68.2%

81.9% 55.5%

83.2% 72.4%

93.7% 76.8%

91.1% 65.5%

77.6% 65.8%

72.3% 57.1%

Do instant messaging Send attachments with your email

Check or update your profile on a social network Read a blog

Check your email Participate in chat rooms

Make or receive phone calls over the Internet Write a blog

Post messages on discussion or message boards Maintain a personal website

Doing Housework

Unemployed

Employed

Student

Retired



Among Kuwaitis and non Kuwaities all life stages are similarly active users of the various online communications options. Social networks are mostly used, with 93.7% of students using it. In addition, students and employed people show the highest activity when it comes to checking emails with more than (90%) doing so.

For Kuwaitis instant messaging is the most common tool for retirees (92.3%), employed people (88.2%), and students (83.2%). Those doing housework are more likely to write blogs (75.4%) or maintain websites (62.8%) than other categories.

42

Social Network Sites

Social network use is high in all ages, but higher among young people. Between 15 and 24 years, more than 9 out of 10 people use social networks, whereas this ratio gets slightly lower to 8 out of 10 people at the age of 55 years or older. There is little difference in use levels between genders.

Kuwaitis’ social network use is high in all ages. Over 90% of those 15-44 years old use social networks, and even 75% of those over 74 years do so. Men and women use social networks in similar proportions, though a slightly higher share of women do so (91.2%) than men (89.4%).

Figure 53: Social Network Use by Age and Gender (QC8)

Figure 55: Activities on Social Networks (QC35)

Figure 54: Social Network Use by Kuwaitis Age and Gender (QC8)

94.1%

94.1%

15-19years

15-19years

20-24years

20-24years

25-34years

25-34years

35-44years

35-44years

45-54years

45-54years

55 yearsor above

55 yearsor above




Male

Male

Female

Female

91.9%

90.9%

88.6%

92.2%

89.3%

92.1%

87.8%

87.9%

82.0%

74.9%

89.8%

89.4%

88.5%

91.2%

Age

Age

Social Activities

Gender

Gender

Informational Activities

People use social networks for a mix of social and informational purposes. Among informational activities, receiving news and information ranks highest, closely followed by exploring various links on social networks to get users to external web pages. Within the category of social activities, most common is to comment on other people’s content, post pictures and own photos, and to update status (e.g. status update on Facebook).

Kuwaitis and Arab expats have similar usage of social networks. Asian expats are less likely to post creative content. The results showsthat 3/4 of Kuwaitis use social networks to learn about a politician or to follow politician’s. Almost 95% of Kuwaitis confirmed clicking on a link on social networks that would take them to another web page.

(QC35) Thinking about all of the social network sites you use. what activities you do on these social networks?

92.3%

92.1%

68.9%

94.1%

91.6%

91.0%

68.1%

Receive news or information

Learn about or follow a politician

Click on a link that takes you to a web page

Comment on someone else’s content (e.g. their status, their wallposts, their photos)

Post pictures or photos you, yourself, took

Update your status (such as posting a Tweet or Facebook update)

Post your writing, stories or any other creative content you authored

43

Figure 56: Activities on Social Networks by Nationality (QC35)

Figure 57: Frequency of Kuwaitis’ Activities on Social Networks (QC35)

Post your writing, stories or any other

creative content you authored

Update your status(such as posting aTweet or Facebook

update)

Post pictures orphotos you,

yourself, took

Comment on someone else’s

status, their wallposts, their

photos)


Click on a link that takes you to a web

page


Base: Kuwaitis; N=1,909


Info

rmat

iona

lS

ocia

l

Nearly half of respondents use social networks at least daily for commenting on others’ content and for receiving news or information. Among activities that Kuwaitis perform several times a day, the following activities rank relatively high: receive news or information (23.2%), like or promote content that other people post (15.1%), like or follow a social network page sponsored by

-24.6%

-25.7%

2.9%

18.3%21.4%

18.7%

12.9%-11.4%

2.9%

23.7%22.2%

22.4%

17.4%

-9% 8.7%

30.7%

25.6%

17.4%

8.6%4.9%

13.1%

34.1%

24.5%

14.5%

8.9%

3.6%

17.4%14.7%

21%18.8%

5.1%

13.2%

33.0%

25.6%

13.2%10.1%

-5.9%

23.2%

32.1%

21.5%

10.8%

6.6%

Learn about or follow a polititian

Click on a link that takes you to a webpage

Post your writing, stories or other creative content you

authored

Update your status Comment on someone else’s content

Post pictures or photos you, yourself, took


74.3%67.8%

49.8%

88.6%92.0%

97.8%91.1%

88.9%96.1%

95.1%93.0%

91.5%

75.4%67.8%

51.1%

94.9%91.4%

83.4%

94.1%91.2%

87.6%

Asian ExpatArab ExpatKuwaiti

a commercial company (14.1%), click on a link that takes you to a web page (13.2%), and comment on someone else’s content (13.1%).

A small share of Kuwaitis (less than 3%) update status on social networks several times a day. More than a quarter (26.6%) do it at least daily.

NeverSeveral times a dayDailyWeeklyMonthlyLess then monthly

44

Among Kuwaitis, most life stages show similar social network behaviour, though students tend to be most active, and retirees are slightly less active generally, and far less likely to post their own creative content.

Among Kuwaitis, people of various education levels show similar social network behaviour. Those with no educational qualification are only moderately less likely to undertake each activity than are those with high education.

Figure 58: Activities on Social Networks by Kuwaitis by Life Stage

Figure 59: Activities on Social Networks by Kuwaitis by Education (QC35)

82%

67%

75%

71%

36%

75%

66%

76%

95%

64%

88%

88%

78%

90%

79%

90%

97%

76%

92%

89%

73%

93%

79%

92%

99%

90%

94%

95%

86%

95%

93%

96%

73%

62%

78%

66%

65%

79%

72%

79%

99%

86%

95%

94%

84%

95%

92%

96%

98%

93%

89%

94%

93%

92%

93%

95%






update)


update)


yourself, took


yourself, took



photos)



photos)




page


page



Base: Kuwaiti social network users; N=1,909

Base: Kuwaiti social network users; N=1,909

% of respondents who do the activities more then never

% of respondents who do the activities more then never

Student

No Qualification

Employed

Basic Qualification

Retired

Further Education

Doing Housework

Higher Education

45

When it comes to social platforms, WhatsApp is commonly used across all nationalities, while Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat are popular among Kuwaitis, and Facebook is popular among expats.

Figure 60a: Popular Social Networks

Source: Internet Usage Survey, 2015. N =3721.

97%93%

73% 71%66%

41%34%

20% 19%14%

59%

97%

70%

52%

30%

66%

88%

22%

12%7% 5%

49%

86%

44%

35%

3%

37%

97%

24%

14%

2%5%

87%

Whatsapp Instagram Twitter Snapchat Google+ Facebook Onlinedating site

LinkedIn MySpace Pinterest Others

Kuwaiti

Arab Expat

Asian Expat

46

Figure 60b: First Choice Social Network for News Updates by Nationality (QC37a)

(QCA37a) In times of incidents happening in the country or during news breaks. which social network site would you FIRST resort to for updates on the situation?

Overall, 74.6% of Kuwaitis can be reached through three social media combined: Twitter, Instagram and through WhatsApp. While Kuwaitis turn to Twitter (32.2%), Instagram (25.0%) and

WhatsApp (17.4%) for breaking news, expats turn mainly to Facebook. As social networks are becoming an important medium for reaching out to family and friends in case of emergencies, as well as for spreading warning messages in case of accidents, government shall consider use of social networks as a part of any public safety strategy.

4.2%

67.5%

17.4%

25.0%

32.2%

14.41%

17.74%

30.53%

20.97%

16.1%

12.1%

1.3%

53.9%

11.5%

7.6%

8.4%5.5%

0.29% 0.3% 0.5%

0.9% 0.7% 0.1%

2.9% 4.0%

0.69%

2.40%

1.6%


Overall Kuwaiti Arab Expat Asian Expat

Overall

Kuwaiti

Arab ExpatAsian Expat

47

In most cases, people have high levels of trust in what is published on social media sites.

Kuwaitis tend to trust the information published on social networking sites.

Social networks are by far the dominant means of sending messages over the Internet in Kuwait. 3/4 of respondents mostly use social networks for sending messages, whereas only 5.5% uses emails for messaging. Nearly 1 out of 5 uses both channels.

Figure 61: Trust in Information Published on Social Media Sites (QC37a)

Figure 62: Sending Messages Over The Internet (QC36)

1 (Do not trust at all)

2

3

4 3.9

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Snapchat Google+ Instagram Whatsapp

4.0

74.6%

5.5%

Mostly useemail

Mostly use a social network site

Use both about the same

18.4%

4.0 4.04.1

4.3

3.5

5 (Trust it completely)

Five

poi

nts

scal

e


Base: All respondents; N=3,060% of respondents

48

The different nationalities have similar preferences for sending messages over the Internet, with Asians sending messages through social networks relatively more than Kuwaitis and Arabs.

In fact, social networks dominate Internet messaging in all categories. Asian expats show a strong preference for social messaging over email or a combined approach. For Kuwaiti and Arabs, using both social networks and emails is more common than for Asians, but still – messaging over social networking sites is by far the most used.

Socializing on Social Networks

The average respondent still most frequently calls nearby family and friends, though they typically use electronic messaging between daily and weekly. The traditional way of sending cards or letters is least frequent. None of the questioned communication activities are being performed several times a day.

Kuwaitis visit people nearby or write them cards or letters more frequently than others do, while Asian expats use text messaging more than others do, on an almost daily basis. Asian Expats are least engaged with writing letters/cards and visiting family and friends nearby.

Figure 63: Sending Messages Over The Internet by Nationality (QC36)

Figure 64: Communication with Family and Friends Who Live Nearby (QB4)

1 (Less than monthly)

2 (Monthly)

3 (Weekly)

4 (Daily)

2.8

Writing a card or letter to

them

Going to visit them

or they come here

Text messaging

Emailing or instant

messaging them

Calling them on the phone

3.0

3.6%

20.8%

73.8%

8.4%

21.6%

68.4%

8.8% 7.7%

83.1%

Mostly useemail

Mostly use a social network site

Use both about the same

3.2 3.2

3.8

5 (Several times a day)


% of respondentsBase: All respondents; N=3,060

Kuwaiti Arab Expat Asian Expat

(QB4) How often do you contact family or friends who live nearby by?

49

Figure 65: Communication with Family and Friends Who Live Nearby by Nationality (QB4)

3.2 3.1 3.2

3.8

2.92.9 2.7

3.3

3.8

2.52.5

3.7

3.2

3.7

2.2

Going to visit them or they come here

Writing a card or letter to them

Text messaging Emailing or instant messaging them





2 (Monthly)

3 (Weekly)

4 (Daily)


50

(QB5) How often do you contact family or friends who live faraway by?

(QC13) When you are online. how often do you interact with the following groups of people?

When the family and friends live far away, calls remain the most frequently used way of communication, followed by texting and emails. Visiting in person is less likely, most probably due to long distances.

Respondents of different ages did not differ greatly in how they communicate with friends and family who live far away. Retired people engage less so in electronic communication and in travelling to see family and friends. Among people who write cards or letters, students are most active and do so on a weekly basis.

People interact often online with others, both with those who have the same interests, occupations, or views, and with those who do not. Those at age 35-44 interact online most with those sharing their occupation. Younger people interact online most with those sharing their personal interests. 6 out of 10 people aged 15-19 years confirmed doing so. Older people interact online the least, but still many of them do so.

Figure 66: Communication with Family and Friends Who Live Far Away (QB5)

Figure 67: Communication with Family and Friends Who Live Far Away by Age (QB5)


2 (Monthly)

3 (Weekly)

4 (Daily)

2.1

Writing a card or letter to

them

Going to visit them

or they come here

Text messaging

Text messaging

Emailing or instant

messaging them

Emailing or instant messaging them



2.83.1 3.1

3.4

5 (Several times a day) Base: All respondents; N=3,721

1.82.2 2.3 2.2 2.2

2.3

3.12.9

2.7 2.6 2.6

3.1 3.1 3.23.3

3.0 2.8

3.3 3.2 3.1 3.13.3

3.4 3.4 3.4 3.43.5 3.5

2.82.8


2 (Monthly)

3 (Weekly)

4 (Daily)



15-19 years

35-44 years

20-24 years

45-54 years

25-34 years

55 years or above

Writing a card or letter to them

Going to visit them or they come here

7.5%

51

(QC15) Have you ever met someone online that you did not know before. through the following?

Figure 69: Places to Meet People Online (QC15)

Figure 70: Places to Meet People Online by Nationality (QC15)

Figure 68: Interaction Online With Different Groups of People by Age (QC13)

People who share your job or occupation

People in different jobs or occupations

People with different personal interests

and hobbies

People who share your personal interests and

hobbies

36% 36%34%32%

36%

30%25%

46%50%

42%45%45%

38%35%

55%

47%45% 47%

38%33%

60%

48% 46%

53%49%

42%48%

54%

61%55%

41%

32%

40%44%

39%33%

3.2 3.3 3.0 3.4 3.4 3.5




15-19 years 20-24 years 25-34 years 35-44 years 45-54 years 55 years or above

Kuwaitis make more use than other nationalities of many places to meet people online, while other nationalities depend more on social network sites. 68.7% of Kuwaitis have met someone via social networks, and around than half of them via instant messengers or online dating sites.

Most people have met someone online. There are many ways to do so, but social networking sites are by far the most common. 3/4 of respondents have met someone on social networks, and half of the respondents have met someone by chatting via instant messangers. Email and online dating sites follow.

People who share your political views

74.9%

25.6%30% 30% 35.7% 38.5% 42.9% 43.9% 54.3%

30.9% 35.7%

23.6%18.9%

14.9% 17.7%

34.8%

22.3%21.8%

37.9%

Discussion group or bulletin board

Discussion group or

bulletin board



Online community

Online community

Chat room

Chat room

Through a message or

comment on a website or blog

Through a message or

comment on a website or blog

Online dating site

Online dating site

Email

Email

Instant Messaging

Instant messaging

Social network

sites

Social network

sites

People with different political views

26.8%

35.8%41.2%

30.5%35.8%

48.5%

38.1%29.4%

45.0% 41.9%

53.3%52.7%57.1%

68.7%

79.3%

90.9%

40.2%

Base: All respondents; N=3,072Kuwaiti Arab Expat Asian Expat

23.1%

7.5%

52

7. Impact of Internet Use

There is a strong evidence that the Internet has a positive impact in various areas. For instance, people agree that that Internet use at work improves people’s ability to do their jobs. They also believe that the Internet can increase their influence on government. More than half of the respondents think that Internet use will increase the government’s awareness of what people have to say. In addition, people’s trust in Internet is very high. While people have biggest trust in government, the Internet scores the second. In terms of the accuracy and reliability, the Internet ranks high, more so than TV and radio.

Centrality of the Internet

As a source of information, far more people say the Internet is essential than any other medium. 6 out of 10 people think so. 1/4 of people consider television as essential medium for getting information. Only 8% of people believe that radio is essential.

As a source of entertainment, far more people say the Internet is essential than is spending time with other people. 27.3% of people identified personal contact with others as essential, 45.1% said the same for Internet. Television and radio fall much further behind.

Kuwaitis are more likely to say that all sources are essential.

Asians are far less likely to call anything “essential” for media and entertainment, but they still rank the Internet “very important” on average.

(QA2) For you. personally. how important is each of the following as a source of information?

(QA3) People use different media for entertainment. How important is each of the following for your entertainment?

Figure 71: Importance of Media for Information (QA2)- % of those who mentioned “Essential”

Figure 73: Average Importance of Media for Entertainment (QA3)

Figure 72: Average Importance of Media for Information by Nationality (QA2)

62.3%

45.1%

25.1%

27.3%

9.4%

15.4%

8.0%

2.9%

10.7%5.0% 0.7% 0.7%

30.8%21.3%

4.3%

72.0%67.5%

19.2%12.5%

6.2%

Radio

Radio

Newspapers

Television

Television

Spending time with other

people

The Internet

The Internet

% who say it is essentialBase: All respondents; N=2,811

% who say it is essentialBase: All respondents; N=3,721


Far fewer Asians called the Internet "essential", but nearly half called it "very important"


Radio Newspapers Television The Internet

53

Media Habits: The Internet, Television and Newspapers

Over ¾ of respondents read online news, but there are big diff erences by category. Age groups vary only slightly. Far more men (84.8%) read news onlinethan women (69.2%). And far more Kuwaitis (82.0%) read news online than do foreign nationalities. Highly educated and retirees are more likely to read online news.

Average Importance of Media for

Entertainment: % Saying It Is Essential

Average Importance of Media for Entertainment

Mean Responce

Figure 74: Average Importance of Media for Entertainment by Nationality (QA3)

Figure 75: Reading Online Newspapers or News Services (QC26)

4.4%

2.5

2.1%

2.3

2.6

4.3%0.0%

3.2

37.3%

4.1

29.8%

4.0

2.2%

3.3

56.8%

4.4

59.4%

4.4

7.6%

79.3%

84.8%

80.0%

64.1% 62.4%

84.4% 84.5%

79.5%90.7%

48.2% 52.5%

69.2%

82.0%76.2%

64.2%

76.1% 75.6%79.3%

77.1%78.0%

3.8

19.4%

3.4

8.9%

3.5

% of respondentsBase: All respondents; N=3,072



3.8

Radio Television Spending Time with Other People

The Internet

Radio

1Not important

at all

2Not so

important

3Important

4Very

Important

5Essential

Spending time with other people

Television

The Internet

15-19 years

Male

Student

No Qualifi cation

BasicQualifi cation

Further Education

Higher Education

Employed Retired Unemployed Doing Housework

20-24years

Female Kuwaiti Arab Expat

Asian Expat

25-34years

35-44years

45-54years

55 yearsor above

54

Among Kuwaitis, far more men (89.3%) read news online than women (69.2%). Those with higher education read online news more than do those with basic or no educational qualifications. And those who are students (81.2%), employed (87.7%) or retired (90.6%) read online news far more than do those who are unemployed (55.6%) or doing housework (50.3%).

On average, people find the Internet to be a reliable and accurate source of information, more so than television and radio.

On average, Kuwaitis view the Internet as slightly more reliable than television and radio.

Figure 76: Reading Online Newspapers or News Services among Kuwaitis (QC26)

82.1%

89.3%

81.2%

78.3%67.6%

87.1% 87.6%

87.7% 90.6%

55.6%50.3%

73.4%

75.2%83.1% 86.4% 82.2% 79.0%

Base: All Kuwaiti respondents; N=1919

Male

Student

No Qualification

BasicQualification

Further Education

Higher Education

Employed Retired Unemployed Doing Housework

Female

(QA4) On a scale of 1 to 5. where 5 is totally reliable and accurate and 1 is totally unreliable and inaccurate. how reliable and accurate would you rate the information found in the following?

Figure 77: Reliability of Information by Source (QA4)

1 (Totally unreliable and inaccurate)

2

3

4

3.4

Radio Television The Internet

3.74

5 (Totally reliable and accurate)Fi

ve p

oint

s sc

ale


Figure 78: Reliability of Information by Source by Nationality (QA4)

3.4

3.9

3.7

3.2

3.9

3.43.6

4.44

Radio Television The Internet

Base: All respondents; N=3462


1 (Totally unreliable and inaccurate)

2

3

4

5 (Totally reliable and accurate)

15-19 years

20-24years

25-34years

35-44years

45-54years

55-74years

55

After the government, people have the highest trust in the Internet, slightly higher than for TV news, major companies and newspapers.

Kuwaitis have the highest trust in the government. They have slightly less trust in other sources, which are all ranked about the same.

(QA5 and QA6) How much trust you have in the people running each of the following organizations? Use a 5-point scale where 1 means you have no trust at all and 5 means you have total trust.


Figure 79: Trust in Organizations (QA5 and QA6)

Figure 80: Trust in Organizations by Nationality (QA5 and QA6)

1 (No trust at all)

2

3

4

3.6

Newspapers Majorcompanies

Televisionnews

The Internet The Government

3.7 3.8 3.94.1

5 (Total trust)



3.6

3.5

3.8

3.5

4.0

3.8

4.3

3.7

4.0

4.3

3.7

3.7

4.0

3.7

3.6

Newspapers

1No trust

at all

2 3 4 5Totaltrust

Television news

Major companies

The Internet

The Government

56

Personal, Financial and Economic Opportunities

Online learning is very common. Nearly everyone uses the Internet for at least some basic learning, while half use it for distance learning programs. Most common online learning activities are finding or checking a fact, looking up definitions of words, and investigating various topics of interest.

Kuwaitis and Arab expats have similar tendencies for learning online. Asian expats learn online much less.

(QC29) How often. if ever. do you go online for the learning purposes?

Looking up a definition of a word

Investigating topics of personal interest

Getting information for school, college or university related purposes or homework

Online distance learning for an academic degree or job training

Finding or checking a fact

Figure 81: Learning Online (QC29)

Figure 82: Learning Online by Nationality (QC29)


% of respondents who have done each act online

Looking up a definition of a word

Investigating topics of personal interest

Getting information for school, college or university related purposes or homework

Online distance learning for an academic degree or job training

Finding or checking a fact



Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

96.3%

93.5%

91.0%

63.6%

49.1%

93.9%

96.9%

97.0%

95.7%

91.6%

93.1%

74.0%

95.3%

97.0%

30.5%

64.7%

77.0%

18.2%

60.0%

58.7%

Asi

ans

do it

muc

h le

ss

57

The impact of the Internet is demonstrated over several categories. Nearly 7 out of 10 people found online health relevant information, and confirmed saving money when shopping online. Half of respondents learned about events through Internet. Relatively low share of people found a job online, the portion stood at 12.9%.

Different people are getting different benefits from Internet use. Highly educated people gain greater advantages than those with less education. More people with higher education or without qualification found a job online. A relatively high difference among education levels is among people who claim to have saved money when buying online. Whereas only 17.3% of un-qualified people said so, 40.1% of people with higher education have experienced such benefit.

Kuwaitis and the young gain greater advantages than others. The young gain the greatest benefits from the Internet, except for in job hunting. More Kuwaitis have found useful online information that helped to improve their health (72%). Kuwait is ranked as one of the top five countries in the world in regards to the incidence of Diabetes in the adult population1. More digital health initiatives

Found online information that helped you improve your health

First found out about an event through the Internet

Saved money buying something online

Found a job through the Internet

Figure 83: Effectiveness in Using The Internet (QC22)



Found out about an event online Found a job through online Found online info that helped improve health

Saved money buying online

Figure 84: Effectiveness in Using The Internet by Qualification (QC22)


Higher educationBasic qualification Further educationNo qualification

are required by the Ministry of health that would be beneficial to these 72% of the Kuwaitis.

In terms of finances, the survey revealed that 38% of Kuwaitis saved money onlinethough they find jobs online less often (6%). Asian Expats benefit from finding out about event online more than others, same for finding a job through the Internet.

43.8% 44.1% 45.2%

54.3%

17.8%

7.7% 8.8%

20.0%

60.6% 62.9%68.7%

73.3%

17.3%

27.6%33.1%

40.1%

68.1%

47.9%

33.0%

12.9%

1 Diabetes Kuwait Resource Center

58

Figure 85: Effectiveness in Using The Internet by Age, and by Nationality (QC22)

Found out about an event online

Found out about an

event online

Found a job through online

Found a job through

online

Found online info that helped improve

health

Found online info that helped

improve health



55%

3%

69%

37%

51%

12%

79%

39%

49%

19%

70%

33%

14%

68%

34%41%

9%

63%

27%

37%

6%

53%

24%

49%

6%

72%

38%

28%

17%

65%

18%

58%

25%

66%

29%

Asian Expat

Asian Expat

35 - 44 years

15 - 19 years 25 - 34 years

45 - 54 years

20 - 24 years

Arab Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Kuwaiti


(QP5) How much do you agree or disagree with the statement that ‘Through the use of the Internet. public officials will know more about what people like you have to say’?

Most believe that Internet use will increase government’s awareness of what people have to say. Relative to others, people at age of over 55 years and Asian Expats have a stronger belief in this respect.

Older people and Asian expats agree slightly more than others do

Stud

ent

Empl

oyed

Retir

ed

Une

mpl

oyed

Doi

ng h

ouse

wor

k

Figure 86: Influence on Government Through Internet Use (QP5)


% of respondents who have agree that Internet use will increase government’s awareness of what people have to say

Overall Male Female15-19 years

20-24 years

25-34 years

35-44 years

45-54 years

55 yearsor above

54.7% 53.1% 49.7%56.8%

53.0% 54.0%

63.1%

52.5%57.8%

51.4% 48.6%

67.0%

52.9% 55.4%62.9%

48.0%51.7%

55 years or above

59

(QO12) Because of your Internet access at work. do you feel that your ability to do your job improved a lot. improved somewhat. stayed the same. worsened somewhat. or worsened a lot?

There is a strong feeling that Internet use at work improves people’s ability to do their jobs. More than 77% of people believe that their abilities improved to some extend (i.e. somewhat or a lot) by using the Internet. Almost no one thinks that the impact of the Internet use on their abilities to do their job was negative and led to deterioration of their abilities.

Kuwaitis and Arab expats feel strongest that the Internet “improved a lot” their ability to do their jobs.

Almost no one thinks it

makes things worse

Base: Internet users at work; N = 1,612

% w

ho s

ay it

is e

ssen

tial

Improved a lot

Improved somewhat

Stayed the same

Worsened somewhat

Worsened a lot

Figure 87: Internet’s Impact on Ability to Do One’s Job (QO12)

40,6%36,7%

21,5%

0,6% 0,1%

Base: Internet users at work; N = 1,612

% w

ho s

ay it

is

esse

ntia

l

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot

Figure 88: Internet’s Impact on Ability to Do One’s Job by Nationality (QO12)

46.2%49.6%

27.5%

35.8% 33.3%

40.0%

16.8%14.4%

32.1%

0.7% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%0.0% 0.0%

60

8. Regulation and Control

People in Kuwait recognize both benefits and issues related to the use of Internet. Among those challenges, bad experiences people have are mostly with viruses and immoral content. Even though most people are concerned about bad experiences online, people do not feel strongly about need for greater regulation of the Internet. Nearly half of respondents think things are good as they are. Even with regard to immoral content and protection of children, most people believe it is parents’ responsibility to ensure protection of children. Still, many think that the government has a key role to play in regulating Internet content. People with higher income incline more towards less regulation, so do young people between 20 and 34 years.

Concerns: Bad Experiences and the Internet

Bad experiences online are common. The most common problems are viruses, accidental appearance of pornography, and obscene or abusive emails. Problems related to online banking and eCommerce are also being experienced. Around 4% of people had problems with stolen credit card details when doing online transactions, another 11.3% of people were asked by someone online to share their bank details.

Base: All respondents; N = 3,072% of respondents who have experienced in the past year

Received a virus onto your computer

Accidently arrived at a pornographic website when looking for something else

Received obscene or abusive e-mails

Been contacted by someone online asking you to provide bank details

Bought something which was misrepresented on a website

Had your credit card details stolen via use on the Internet

Figure 89: Bad Experiences Online (QC39)

(QC39) In the past. have you ever experienced the following?

Most people are comfortable revealing basic personal details. However, eCommerce is inhibited by reluctance to reveal bank details.

Asian expats report more bad experiences than Kuwaitis do, but the trends are similar. 40.0% of Kuwaitis report receiving a virus onto their computers.

Received a virus onto your computer

Accidently arrived at a pornographic website when looking for something else

Received obscene or abusive e-mails

Been contacted by someone online asking you to provide bank details

Bought something which was misrepresented on a website

Had your credit card details stolen via use on the Internet

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Base: All respondents;N = 3,072

% of respondents who have experienced in the past years

Figure 90: Bad Experiences Online by Nationality (QC39)

Figure 91: Comfort Revealing Personal Details Online (QC12)

Your age or date of birth

Your personal email address

Your full name

Your postal address

Your phone number

Your credit or debit card number


% of respondents who are fairly to very comfortable

Hig

h le

vel o

f co

mfo

rt w

ith th

e ba

sics

Much lower comfort with

payment details, which likely inhibits

development of eCommerce

40.9%

46.8%

33.4%

40.0%

42.7%

29.2%

32.0%

32.7%

26.3%

29.6%

12.1%

76.5%

74.6%

74.2%

62.5%

55.5%

30.6%

10.5%

11.0%

10.3%5.3%

11.2%

7.2%

2.9%

3.5%

34.6%

30.1%

11.3%

10.0%

4.4%

61

Kuwaitis are slightly more reticent than expat Arabs to reveal basic personal information online. Asian expats are much more comfortable revealing most basic information.

Comfort sharing bank payment details is low across all groups, though there was some variation. People over 55 years are much less worried about sharing their payment card details on the Internet than other age groups. However, important to note, retired people are least

Base: All respondents;N = 3,072

% of respondents who are fairly to very comfortable


Older people are more comfortable than the

younger.

Expat Arabs are more comfortable than

Kuwaitis or Asians.

Retired people are the least comfortable.

Higher-educated people are more comfortable than lower-educated.

Your age or date of birth

Your personal email address

Your full name

Your postal address

Your phone number

Your credit or debit card number

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Figure 92: Comfort Revealing Personal Details Online by Nationality (QC12)

comfortable of all categories of people split by life stage. 35.5% of people with higher education said their comfort with revealing credit or debit card number online was fairly or very high. All other less educated people’s comfort was lower in this respect.

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Stud

ent

Empl

oyed

Ret

ired

Une

mpl

oyed

Doi

ng h

ouse

wor

k

No

qual

ifica

tion

Basi

c qu

alifi

catio

nFu

rthe

r edu

catio

nH

ighe

r edu

catio

nMale Female15-19 years

20-24 years

25-34 years

35-44 years

45-54 years

55 yearsor above

Figure 93: Comfort Revealing Credit or Debit Card Number Online (QC12)

90.7%

78.4%

69.6%

86.8%

71.0%

70.2%

92.6%

75.3%65.7%

58.8%

69.4%

61.9%

75.2%

59.0%

45.4%

30.3%

34.8%

28.7%

23.9% 24.6%

30.9%33.1%

29.2%

43.1%

30.7% 30.5% 28.7%

34.8%

30.3%

21.8%

33.1%

15.4%

29.2%

37.1%

26.0%28.7%27.8%

35.5%

Asi

ans

are

mor

e co

mfo

rtab

le

62

(QC37) How concerned. if at all. are you about the following bad experiences online?

(QB1) How much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?

Most people are concerned about bad experiences online, such as obscene emails, viruses, or spam. Those with children are slightly more concerned than those without about bad experiences online. The portion of people concerned increases with the level of education, possibly because a better knowledge about the threats.

Technology affects privacy in different ways. Nearly everyone is concerned about protecting bank payment details. Nearly 2/3 think they should be able to express opinions online anonymously. More women than men think so.

Children’s Regulation

A lot of debate has been stirred around the controlled usage of internet by children.Who do you think should carry this responsibility? Or do you think the children using the internet should not be controlled?

Most respondents see parents as having the main responsibility for restricting unsuitable children’s content, but many see a role also for Internet providers, schools, and the government.Only 16.1% of people think that children’s content should be un-restricted. More men believe so than women.

Different nationalities have similar levels of concern about bad experiences online.

Unpleasant experiences when using email, such as being sent

obscene or annoying emails

Receiving viruses on your computer

Receiving SPAM

Figure 95: Concern About Bad Experiences Online by Nationality (QC37)


% of respondents who are concerned or very concerned

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

Unpleasant experiences when using email, such as being sent obscene

or annoying emails

Receiving viruses on your computer

Receiving SPAM

Figure 94: Concern About Bad Experiences Online (QC37)

Figure 96: Privacy Attitudes (QB1)

Base: All respondents; N = 3,072% of respondents who are concerned or very concerned

People should be concerned aboutprotection of credit card details whenthey are using new technologies

People should be able to express their opinion anonymously online

Agree strongly Agree Neither agree nor disagreeDisagree Disagree strongly


% of respondents

75.5%

78.8%

71.5%

80.9%

58.2%

34.9%

3.7%

2.1%

0.8%

15.9%

47.1%

13.5%

16.0%

7.2%

74.4%

74.3%

84.6%

75.5%

78.1%

79.8%

71.5%

69.4%

63

(QD10) Does your household use parental control filters. such as ‘Net Nanny’ or other filters to prevent children from accessing certain websites?

There are only modest differences between the views of parents with young kids, older kids, and those with no kids.

Only one fifth of households with children claim to use parental control features. Many do not know much about this option. In fact, more than half of people either never heard of them or do not use them.

All nationalities agree that parents have responsibility for restricting children’s content. Asians are more likely to feel that others share that responsibility.Parents

Providers of Internet servises

School (teachers)

The Government

No one should restrict children’s content

Figure 97: Responsibility for Restricting Children’s Content (QI5b)

Figure 98: Responsibility for Restricting Children’s Content - Further Insights (QI5b)


% who agree

Parents

Providers of Internet services

School (teachers)

The Government

No one should restrict children’s content Youngest 14-17

Youngest 10-13

Youngest <10

No childrenBase: All respondents; N = 3,072

% who agree

Figure 99: Responsibility for Restricting Children’s Content - Further Insights by Nationality (QI5b)

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti

97.6%

88.6%

89.5%

69.3%

11.8%

71.7%

41.1%

15.8%

46.0%

46.5%

17.3%

51.9%

67.9%

43.6%

48.5%

Parents

School (teachers)

Providers of Internet services

The Government

No one should restrict children’s content


% who agree

91.0%

55.7%

52.8%

51.4%

16.1%

86.22%

84.53%

91.79%

92.46%

55.51%

45.58%

49.59%

57.08%

51.57%

42.27%

53.28%

61.74%

51.57%

42.27%

46.51%

57.94%

16.14%

15.19%

12.31%

19.74%

64

Figure 100: Use of Parental Control Features on The Internet (QD10)

Base: Respondents with children in the household; N = 603

Don’t know

Yes

No, do not use them

No, never heard of them

21.9%

20.9%

34.5%

22.7%

Asian expats are far more likely to use parental control features than are Kuwaitis. Kuwaitis are much more likely to be unaware of such features.

Kuwaiti respondents aged 15-17 were less likely to have received rules about their Internet use than were other nationalities.

Most respondents aged 15-17 have been given rules related to Internet use. However, a sizeable proprtion also have not been given any rules. Most common restrictions are related to visiting certain web sites, and not giving out personal information. However, concerns about meeting or talking to strangers online also exist, as almost 6 out of 10 young people are told not to do so.

Figure 101: Use of Parental Control Features on The Internet by Nationality (QD10)

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

KuwaitiBase: Respondents with children in the household; N = 603

4.0%

14.3%

25.3%

21.3%

41.3%

8.6%

14.3%

24.1%

18.2%

33.3%

???%

32.5%

Don’t know

Yes

No, do not use them

No, never heard of them

(QD9) Have your parents or caretakers ever told you the following?

62.7%

61.1%

58.0%

57.5%

51.3%

49.0%

Not to visitsome sites

Not to give out personal information

Not to talk to strangers online

Not to meet someone in person they only met online

How much time to spend online

To use PC under parent’s control, for example in the same room

Figure 102: Rules About Children’s Internet Use (QD9)

Base: Respondents aged 15-17; N = 753

% of respondents

65

Government Regulation

There is substantial interest (36.1%) in more government regulation of the internet than current levels. However, nearly half of the people consider things to be good the way they are now. People with higher income incline more towards less regulation, so do young people between 20 and 34 years.

Most nationalities feel the same about regulation. They mostly think regulation should be about the same as now. However, a large share of Asian expats think there should be far more regulation.

(QI5) Thinking about regulation of the Internet. do you think the government should regulate the Internet far more. more. about the same. less or far less?

76.6%

69.0%

60.1%

Not to visitsome sites

66.0%

66.0%

63.6%

70.5%

55.4%

58.5%

68.1%

61.7%

68.1%

51.2%

51.2%

63.6%

50.0%

47.6%

55.9%

Not to meet someone in person they only met online

Not to give out personal information

How much time to spend online

To use PC under parent’s control, for example in the same room

Not to talk to strangers online


Figure 103: Rules About Children’s Internet Use by Nationality (QD9)


15.0%

21.1%

7.3%

48.6%

6.1%

Far more

More

About the same

Less

Far less

Figure 104: Attitudes Toward Government Regulation of The Internet (QI5)


% of respondents who think the goverment should regulate the Internet

Asian Expat

Arab Expat

Kuwaiti


% of respondents who think the government should regulate the Internet

29.0%

13.2%

9.5%

Far more

2.0%

21.8%

10.3%

18.1%

8.6%

21.7%

0.8%

46.1%

8.1%

48.1%

7.9%

49.8%

Less

More

Far less

About the same

Figure 105: Attitudes Toward Government Regulation of The Internet by Nationality (QI5)

66

9. Conclusions

KUWAIT’S OVERALL POSITION AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Situation Summary

Everyone uses the Internet. Nearly everyone owns a mobile phone, and nearly all of them use Internet on mobile. Computer penetration of homes is also high, at 86%. Most homes have Internet access, and most of the remaining expect to get it. Telephone companies were identified as the main providers of Internet access. With respect to Internet skills, 8 out of 10 people claim to have good or excellent online skills. Nearly everyone thinks it is easy to get help using the Internet, when needed, but a few people- especially with low education or older age - think it is difficult to get help.

There are pros and cons of the Internet use. People agreed on several key benefits of using the Internet, especially that it makes life easier, allows people to keep in touch, and is good for finding information. But many people also see disadvantages, such as addictiveness and immoral material. There is also a widespread agreement among respondents that there are advantages to shopping online, especially in the wider choice available and ease of ordering. But they also see real disadvantages, such as difficulty assessing product quality, difficulty returning products, and the lack of face-to-face contact. Also, most people are concerned about bad experiences online, with 78.8% worried about receiving viruses.Regarding responsibility for restrictions children’s content, the vast majority (91%) think it is parents’ responsibility.

The Internet is now the most common source of information for most people. Search engines are the main way people find info online. People find many different kinds of info online, especially about local events, healthcare, and other people.

Almost everyone engages in online leisure activities, especially looking at photos, videos, and browsing the web. Most people do some transactions online, especially paying bills (71.5%), buying products (55.6%), and online banking (54.2%). That said, online shopping still has a lot of room for growth. Also, few people sell things online or manage investments online. Online shopping is more common among higher income levels, but still common even at lower levels.

As a source of information, the Internet is far more important than any other medium. On average, people find the Internet to be a reliable and accurate source of information, more so than TV or radio.

There is a strong consensus that Internet use at work improves people’s ability to do their jobs. Over half of respondents use Internet at work, especially to learn new skills or as a tool for communicating with others. Men use it more than women, the same holds for higher educated people.

Nearly everyone engages in some creative activities online, especially sharing photos and updating online profiles on social networks.Young people are more likely to engage in these activities than older people are, but even among older people, most people do it. People engage in creative activities frequently. More than a third post photos at least daily, and over 2/3 do it at least weekly.

The Internet is a critical channel (and the most common channel) for accessing information about government services. Nearly half of respondents participate in online political discourse, most commonly by finding information, re-posting others’ political commentary, or commenting on issues themselves. More women comment online about political or social

67

issues than men do.Contacting politicians or government officials is not common, but those who do so use online and offline means roughly equally. Most people believe the Internet can increase their influence on government. 54.7% of respondents think that Internet use will increase the government’s awareness of what people have to say.

Instant messaging, social networks, and email are the most common types of online communication, each used by 89% or more of respondents. Use of these functions varies somewhat by education level. However, even those with no educational qualifications at all use these online communications almost as much as others. Life stage also makes only a moderate difference.

There is not a strong need for regulating the Internet more, but regulation to certain degree by the government is welcome. There is some interest (36.1%) in the government regulating the Internet more, but nearly half of respondents think things are good as they are, and some others think less regulation is needed. That said, the government should continue to evaluate ways of regulating content. However, due to the rapid evolution of the online environment and the shift toward mobile apps, many other industry participants are also working on these issues.Kuwait may be best served by working with industry participants to best achieved desired regulation of the online experience.

Trust in the government and the internet was high among Kuwaitis. 72% of Kuwaitis have claimed that the internet is a very important source of information for them, and consider it a more reliable source of information thanthe television and radio. According to the survey results, on a 5 point scale from Kuwaitis trust the government firstly (4.3 out of 5) with the internet in second

place (3.8 out of 5). Since the Kuwaitis have so much trust in their government, the government should take advantage of thisand consider using the internet in targeting Kuwait for providing them with information.

Conclusions

• Internet adoption policies have achieved their goal. Virtually everyone uses the Internet, including among disabled people and various age groups, nationalities, or levels of education.

• People love using the Internet. It’s critical for most aspects of life now, including communication, entertainment, education, news, reference, socializing, and government interaction.

• There are some unseemly things that they want to avoid or regulate.

• Bad experiences online are still common.

• People want to restrict Internet content to a degree, at least for children.

• Parents have most responsibility, but schools, Internet providers and the government also have a role.

• eCommerce is common, but not universal.

• Most people conduct some transactions.

• But the benefits are moderate, and they are counterbalanced by some drawbacks.

• People are concerned about sharing payment details online.

• As a result, eCommerce may grow only slowly

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kuwait national ict indicators 2016 internet usage report

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