On the 9th of March 2021, the European Commission has published the 2030 Digital Compass: The European Way for the Digital Decade report that outlines the EU’s ambition to undergo digital transformation “for a better and more prosperous life”. Indeed, the EU currently faces digital disruption on all fronts, with almost 4 million unique Internet users and an Internet penetration rate of 89%. Even though the overwhelming majority of European youth and adults connect daily to the Internet, still not everybody has comprehensive digital literacy skills.
What are digital literacy skills and why do we need them ?
Digital literacy means possessing enough skills to live, learn, and work in a society where digital technologies play a crucial role in communication and access to information. Contrary to IT proficiency, which stands for the knowledge of computer systems, digital literacy requires awareness of the necessary behavioral rules and patterns expected in online environments and an understanding of the common social issues created by digital technologies. Here are the top 6 digital literacy skills that every contemporary Internet user should have :
- Collaboration – Ability to work in a group with two or more people to complete a shared task or achieve a common goal.
- Creativity – Ability to generate innovative ideas, take non-standard decisions, and weigh up new and existing opportunities.
- Critical thinking – Ability to analyze facts, evaluate arguments, and think clearly about what you do and what you believe.
- Self-development – Ability to pursue your personal growth while consciously improving yourself in various aspects through lifelong learning.
- Online ethics – Ability to choose correct behavioral patterns when connected to the Internet, both by law and personal conviction.
- Personal information management – Ability to manage and control your online identity through organizing and maintaining your personal data in an accurate manner.
