Over half (53 per cent) of Brits feel that modern technology has now become too complicated and could turn their back on technology, according to a report from online payment provider PayPal.

While Brits are in some cases embracing new technological advances, many still have no more than a basic understanding of them. The age old problem of setting a video recorder still exists for one in three Brits, even though they have been in mainstream use for 27 years.

Neil Edwards, PayPal’s technology expert said : 'It’s a worrying sign for Britain that so many of us are baffled and therefore turned off by technology. There’s no hiding from technology so burying your head in the sand won’t make it go away. We all must embrace technology or risk becoming the tech illiterates of the world.'

Generational differences are highlighted with 93 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using a computer compared with 42 per cent of those aged over 55. The discrepancy is even greater for ‘newer’ technologies, with 70 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using an MP3 player compared with 36 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds and just 11 per cent of those aged over 45.

The findings demonstrate that technology is increasingly pervading our lives with 70 per cent now regularly using a computer, almost three quarters (74 per cent) a mobile phone, and 77 per cent a DVD player or recorder. There has, however, been less widespread adoption of ‘newer’ technologies with a quarter (27 per cent) regularly using an MP3 player and only 3 per cent a BlackBerry.

Generational differences are highlighted with 93 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using a computer compared with 42 per cent of those aged over 55. The discrepancy is even greater for ‘newer’ technologies, with 70 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds regularly using an MP3 player compared with 36 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds and just 11 per cent of those aged over 45.

The research also shows that women lag behind men in their use of technology with only two thirds (66 per cent) of women regularly using a computer compared with 74 per cent of men. A third more men than women regularly use an MP3 player. Mobile phones, however, are equally popular with both sexes.

The extent to which people have adopted technology also differs greatly across the UK. Only 52 per cent of people in Wales regularly use a computer and only 58 per cent regularly use a mobile phone compared with Greater London where the proportion is 81 per cent and 83 per cent respectively.

'The success of new technologies depends on adoption,' said Edwards, 'which means that people must be comfortable using them. PayPal recognises that the unknown can be daunting and has therefore launched www.whatisyourtq.com to encourage as much learning as possible whilst allowing users to test and compare how their existing knowledge stands.'

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Further Reading:

The key technology items on the agenda for 2007

UK faces up to technology skills deficit

Technology could reanimate democracy