ISSP 2024: Digital Societies I, Lithuania, May - June 2025

The purpose of the study: to investigate the internet usage habits, attitudes, and behavior of Lithuanian residents in the online environment.
Major investigated questions: respondents were asked how often they used the internet in the past 12 months, on any device for work or personal purposes. The participants who did not use the internet were asked to state their reasons. They were asked how often in the last 12 months they asked someone to perform some actions for them online, such as sending an email, getting information, or making an online purchase. They were asked to what extent it is likely that someone will do this for them if they need to do something online in the near future. It was also clarified how likely they were to personally use the internet in the next 12 months. Next, respondents who used the internet in the past 12 months were asked to state how often they typically use the internet on any device at home, at work-place/ at school/ at university, and in public places. They were asked whether anyone had asked them to do something for them online in the last 12 months, such as sending an email, getting information, or making an online purchase. It was explored whether they had consciously reduced the amount of time spent online in the past 12 months. If so, they were asked to state the reason for this behavior. Next, Lithuanian residents who participated in the survey rated their abilities to perform different activities (Using the internet; Doing online searches; 4 in total). In the next block of questions, the purposes of internet use were examined (Communicating; Sharing or posting photos or videos; 6 in total). It was clarified whether respondents find it more comfortable meeting with people online than in person and whether they would feel lonely without the internet. In another block of questions, the respondents' online behavior related to searching for news or information on political issues was explored (Read, watch or listen to something online you disagree with; Check a news source that’s different from what you normally read, watch or listen to online; 3 in total). They were also asked to state how much they trust people they are communicating with on the Internet but have never met in person. It was clarified how their online communication has changed in the past 12 months with people who share their political views and with those who have different political views from their own. It was investigated how often in the past 12 months they posted, supported, or opposed political views online or on social media. Next, all respondents were presented with a block of statements about technology (Technology makes our lives easier; Overall, technology does more harm than good; 3 in total). It was intended to find out whether the respondents themselves or anyone they know personally had ever been a victim of online fraud, identity theft, or a hacking attack, or had ever experienced harassment or hate speech online. They were asked to indicate where they find most of their news on political issues. In another block of questions, the reliability of news about political issues presented in various sources was evaluated (Online social media; Television; 5 in total). They were asked how much the Lithuanian residents who participated in the survey are personally interested in politics. The respondents' participation in political and social activities in the past 12 months was also examined (Signed a petition; Took part in a demonstration or political protest; 5 in total). Next, they were asked to indicate their position on a "left" and "right" scale and to answer whether most people can be trusted in general, or whether one needs to be very cautious with people. The respondents' trust in the Parliament and Lithuanian courts was also evaluated, and their opinion on who should be most responsible for protecting personal information when using the internet was investigated. It was clarified whether the Lithuanian government should have the right to keep people under video surveillance in public areas and to monitor e-mails, social media content and any other personal information exchanged on the Internet. They were asked whether respondents would provide their personal information online in return for discounts and free products, or whether they would do so even though private companies may use it to make a profit. Next, the opinion was investigated whether in Lithuania women or men, older or younger, rural or urban residents, more or less educated, and rich or poor people benefit more from using the internet and digital technologies. During the survey, it was also clarified how concerned respondents are that in the next 10 years, machines, computer programs, and artificial intelligence will take over many jobs performed by people. At the end of the survey, the respondents' opinion on human activities that can be performed by robots or artificial intelligence was evaluated (Having a medical operation performed on you by a robot; Being driven in a driverless car; 5 in total).
Socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, level of education, membership in organizations, religion, marital status, nationality, political views, political participation, size of household, respondent's average personal income, place of residence, working situation of the respondent and of his/her spouse or partner.

Temporary accessibility restrictions apply for this dataset. Data will be made available without restrictions from 2026-08-31.