Seriously.
You probably know a few who believe that the internet is a “scary place.”
Even the Japanese think the internet is scary:
According to Marsh Research, 84.4% of adult Internet users in Japan have felt at least once that the Internet is “scary.”
But what’s even more fascinating are the reasons why.
Take a look at the reasons listed in the study and what do you see?
If some of this is true then I think a lot of the ways we are looking at engaging online would disappear, or would look dramatically different, if we we’re specifically targeting the Japanese and their culture.
In any case, it’s a good reminder that the way we design our sites and the experiences that we share (or force) with our visitors can run them away.
I think culture plays a large part in all that we do and being cognizant is very crucial. I think this also supports my belief that we need more people blogging and jumping into the mess: we cover more ground and be more culturally sensitive when more people are actually doing it.
I had recently someone drop me a quick line about starting up a technology blog like ChurchCrunch in Spanish. I think that’s brilliant. I think it’s a great idea. I think he should do it.
Oh… and yes, I agree with the Japanese: Popups scare me too. We should do away with all of them.
Phillip Gibb says
I think it has a lot to do with the fear of loosing control especially of the consequences of a button press after filling out a form of your details. Most of the time it is unwarranted and most of the time the problem has more to do with in adequate training.
human3rror says
training for the internet?
human3rror says
yes. i agree.