Why Unplugging Isn’t the Answer: The Basic Skills Europe Cannot Ignore
By Jannie Jeppesen
The past few years have been nothing short of tumultuous for education. Across the globe, schools responded to lockdowns with what can only be described as a "shock digitalization." Amid this upheaval, we’ve seen worrying trends: declining literacy, numeracy, and science results in PISA assessments, a growing wave of mobile phone bans across Europe, and now the ICILS report, which shatters the myth that young people, simply because they’ve grown up with smartphones and the internet, automatically possess strong digital skills. They do not.
A large share of Europe’s youth lack the digital competencies they need to succeed in school and later, work.The gaps are most pronounced among students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, which creates significant risks—not just for individuals who face social exclusion and diminished opportunities, but for Europe as a whole. With a shrinking workforce, failing to equip people with digital skills is not just a moral lapse; it’s an economic mistake. Europe's global competitiveness depends on us getting this right.
The Digital Backlash
How did we go so wrong with digital skills? Across Europe, a recurring theme has been the push to go "back to basics"—a digital backlash.
Sweden, my home country, serves as a cautionary tale. Once a digital pioneer, Sweden recently scrapped its digital education strategy, opting instead for a return to traditional methods. And to make it clear, we need traditional methods, but not only. This decision leaves a critical gap in digital literacy for younger students at a time when foundational digital skills are more crucial than ever. We need to do both.
What have we learned? Digital competence doesn’t happen by accident. It requires structured teaching, clear goals, and thoughtful investment. Unplugging from technology entirely isn’t the answer. Instead, we must ensure that the technology and methodologies used in schools serve to enhance, not distract.
This isn’t just about what happens in classrooms; the public conversation about technology at home matters too. Concerns about the effects of social media on young people's attention spans and mental health are legitimate. These are conversations worth having, but let’s not conflate those issues with the necessity of teaching digital literacy in schools.
Digital Skills: The Backbone of Europe’s Competitiveness
Mario Draghi’s report for the European Commission on EU competitiveness underscores this: digital competence is as essential as reading, writing, and arithmetic. In 2024, it’s not an either-or choice—we must ensure that students master all these skills to prepare for a labor market increasingly shaped by technology.
In addition to education, employers in every sector, from healthcare to manufacturing, also need workers with basic digital skills and advanced expertise. Beyond job readiness, digital competence is crucial for resilience against disinformation and cybercrime. It’s not just about competitiveness—it’s about safeguarding democracy and societal stability.
The rapid evolution of AI only intensifies the need for digital skills. AI will touch every profession, not just those in tech-heavy industries. Without a solid foundation in digital literacy in schools, it will be almost impossible to provide the upskilling and reskilling needed to adapt. Countries that fail to prioritise digital education risk falling behind on the global stage.
EdTech for and from Europe
Digital skills have long been a pillar of the European Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP), which aims to ensure that 80% of EU citizens have basic digital literacy by 2027. Currently, we’re at 56%. Achieving this goal requires an annual growth of 6% in digital competencies—a formidable challenge.
The European edtech sector is crucial in meeting this challenge. With nearly 50 countries and over 200 languages, Europe’s classrooms demand diverse solutions tailored to local needs. Yet, scaling these solutions is difficult in Europe’s fragmented public sector. In countries like Belgium—with three educational systems for a population of 11 million—this complexity is evident.
European edtech companies, primarily SMEs, are best positioned to meet these diverse needs. Therefore, supporting these companies isn’t just about fostering innovation; but offering European-centric solutions that aligns with local needs. The other option would see us surrendering the field to global players with one-size-fits-all approaches that don’t meet the nuanced needs of our classrooms.
A Shared Responsibility
We must recognise that digital education is about more than just access to technology; it’s about equity and opportunity. Without structured, high-quality digital education, a "digital divide" will leave entire groups behind, unable to fully participate in the workforce, democratic life, or the global economy.
The intersection of research, education, and the European edtech industry is where solutions will emerge. Governments, schools, and industry must work together to build a resilient and inclusive digital future. Teachers need ongoing professional development, infrastructure must be robust and accessible, and digital literacy must be woven into the fabric of education, from preschool to university.
There’s no longer an option to unplug.
Jannie Jeppesen is the Chair of the Board for the European EdTech Alliance and the CEO of Swedish Edtech Industry.