As part of the European year of education for digital citizenship and the Safer Internet Day 2025 celebrations, Tiago Lapa, assistant professor at the Department of sociology (ESPP) and integrated researcher CIES-Iscte - Centre for research and studies in sociology (ESPP), brings us a reflection on the challenges and opportunities in the European year of education for digital citizenship.

In 2025, the Council of Europe marks the European year of digital citizenship education, emphasising the urgent need to prepare citizens for active, critical and safe participation in the digital environment. The increasing digitalisation of everyday life, which has progressed to the point where digital technologies have become part of our lives, has brought undeniable benefits and created new opportunities for individual and collective expression. However, it has also increased inequalities and risks and brought with it complex challenges that require new approaches to education. In the Portuguese context, where political, social and civic engagement is relatively low, it is important to strengthen digital literacy strategies that promote a participatory and informed culture.

Digital citizenship refers to a set of rights, responsibilities and skills necessary for responsible and informed engagement in the digital space. It must be understood as an essential competence for contemporary life. It encompasses fundamental aspects such as media literacy, privacy and data protection, cybersecurity, online civic participation and the fight against disinformation. In an increasingly connected world, digital citizenship is not just a complement, but a fundamental pillar for democratic functioning and social inclusion. From the ability to recognise reliable information to the protection of personal data, digital literacy should be considered a fundamental right. Therefore, digital citizenship education must be inclusive and accessible to all ages and social classes and promote the conscious and ethical use of technology.

Challenges in digital citizenship education

Digital citizenship education faces several challenges that need to be addressed in an integrated way.  

Firstly, the spread of ‘fake news’ and manipulated content can have a profound impact on public opinion and democracy. Media literacy should enable citizens to recognise reliable sources, understand the structure of information and avoid the spread of disinformation.

Secondly, the protection of personal data is another major challenge of the digital age. Many platforms collect information without full transparency and citizens are often unaware of their rights. Education should provide tools for managing digital identity and adopting good cybersecurity practises.

A third aspect concerns the uneven development of access to digital technologies. There are still digital barriers that affect particularly vulnerable groups. Digital literacy should not be a privilege of certain groups, but must be democratised to ensure that everyone can actively participate in the digital society.

A fourth very important element is the influence of social media platforms. While these platforms can serve as powerful tools for communication and participation, they can also increase polarisation, spread hate speech and promote a superficial or even distorted view of reality. Digital education should prepare users to use these platforms consciously and critically.

Finally, the importance of digital citizenship education as a means of promoting a participatory culture and civic engagement must be emphasised. The new technologies offer innovative tools for citizen participation, such as online petitions, discussion forums and direct access to public information. However, for these tools to be used effectively and to realise their full potential, it is necessary to promote a culture of active engagement in the digital society.

In the face of these challenges, digital citizenship education can benefit from a number of approaches. These include the promotion of comprehensive digital skills and the development of educational programmes that empower citizen - young and old - to critically interpret online content and strengthen their digital autonomy. In this context, critical thinking should be encouraged to help citizens understand the relationship between media and society, deconstruct misleading and manipulative narratives and promote information diversity.

A balanced and intergenerational approach is crucial

In an information ecosystem heavily characterised by the role of social media platforms, demonising these platforms may not be the most effective way to promote digital citizenship. Such a strategy could even have counterproductive effects that run counter to the intended goals. If the approach to promoting digital citizenship is based solely on fear and judgement, there is a risk that users will turn away from media literacy initiatives. This is particularly true for young people who are heavy users of these platforms and may feel that the discourse does not reflect their reality, making them less receptive to legitimate warnings about risks such as disinformation, privacy or mental health. A balanced and educational approach that recognises both the risks and the benefits will be more effective in engaging citizens and empowering them to navigate the digital environment critically. Social media platforms are not just risk spaces, they can also be spaces for learning, activism, social mobilisation and building support networks. Therefore, digital citizenship education should aim to teach good online interaction practises and emphasise the importance of digital ethics and respect for others.

In addition, it is important to invest in intergenerational and lifelong learning to ensure that everyone, across all generations, can keep up with technological changes. In this sense, education should be adapted to the context of the fourth industrial revolution and constant digital transformation, where artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are redefining the way we learn and work. Given the rapid technological dynamics, efforts must also be made to break down digital barriers and ensure that everyone can reap the benefits of the digital age, regardless of age, socio-economic status or location, and exercise active citizenship. 

Therefore, digital citizenship must be positioned as a core competence for 21st century societies and integrated into public policy to ensure that all citizens develop the necessary skills to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

The European year of education for digital citizenship provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the role of education in building a better informed, safe and participatory society. For digital citizenship to become an accessible reality for all, cooperation between governments, regulators, educational institutions, civil society organisations and technology companies is crucial.

As we move towards an increasingly digital future, we must ensure that it remains an inclusive, democratic and sustainable space. Investing in digital citizenship education is not just a necessity of the present, but a commitment to future generations.

Find more information about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.