In the past 15 years, the tastes and views of Finns have been tremendously affected by the rapid development of communication technologies. Mobile phones have become an integral part of Finns' life, changing the nation's attitudes and values.
A total of 1,354 Finns between 18 and 74 years old were interviewed for the study, which was conducted by the University of Turku. Previous polls undertaken in 1999, 2004 and 2009 allowed the researchers to expose the dynamics of social changes. For instance, the researchers emphasize that the percentage of those who considered relationships essential has dropped to 62 percent. In contrast, the number of those who regard a mobile phone as an absolute necessity is growing steadily, reaching 72 percent of Finnish respondents. Remarkably, only 62 percent of the Nordic state's civilians believe that their well-being is dependent on their job.
However, the researchers underscore that respondents who are over 60 years of age still clung to old ideas and views: they consider newspapers an essential source of information, and their values are characterized as "soft" by the scientists in comparison with those of other social groups.
Aki Koivula, a researcher from the University of Turku, emphasized that while the Internet is becoming more important to Finns, traditional media, like television and newspapers are in decline, losing their significance gradually. He also noted that mobile phones are considered more important than relationships or jobs. Finns' values and attitudes have changed considerably in the past 15 years, the scientist pointed out, stressing that data security has already eclipsed other burning issues and has become very much in the foreground recently.
