In the midst of the technological revolution, we live in the age of so-called digital natives: young people who have grown up with smartphones, social networks and online services as an integral part of everyday life. Yet the latest figures paint a critical and surprising picture: being a digital native does not guarantee real, structured digital skills.
The myth of digital natives in crisis
According to data published by Eurostat (the statistical office of the European Union), Italy continues to lag behind the European average in terms of basic digital skills. In 2025, just over half of the Italian population (around 55%) had at least basic digital skills, compared with a European average of around 60%. These skills include abilities such as securely managing data, creating digital content, and solving complex problems in the digital environment.
If we look at the European level, the most surprising fact is that 30% of young people between the ages of 16 and 34, traditionally regarded as “digital natives,” do not reach the basic level of digital skills. The latest available European ICILS survey (an international study promoted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) also shows that a significant share of students do not achieve satisfactory levels of digital literacy, with around 43% of European 14-year-olds, on average, lacking basic skills. These figures also reveal major differences among countries: in some Northern European states, for example, more than 80% of young people have basic or above-basic digital skills. We are still far from the objective that the European Union set in its strategic programme for the Digital Decade: by 2030, at least 80% of the population aged 16 to 74 should possess at least basic digital skills (EU Decision 2022/2481 of 14/12/2022, Art. 4).
The social and economic consequences
The gap in digital skills is not a purely academic issue: in contemporary society, digital skills are increasingly required in the labour market, in everyday activities, and even in dealings with public administration. According to some analyses, by the end of 2026 most professions will require at least intermediate-level digital skills.
The data show that, despite daily exposure to technology, from the use of social media to the consumption of online content, a significant proportion of young people do not possess sufficient practical and critical abilities to navigate the digital world with genuine competence.
Why familiarity is not enough
Being surrounded by technology does not automatically translate into mastery and awareness. The daily use of apps and devices is often limited to intuitive functions: chatting, scrolling through feeds, watching videos. Real digital skills, however, include more complex abilities, such as critically assessing online information, protecting personal data and privacy, using productivity software and professional tools, understanding concepts such as algorithms or cybersecurity, and much more.
In other words, familiarity as a digital consumer does not automatically translate into practical and conceptual skills.
Towards conscious digital education
To overcome the paradox of digital natives, it is essential to integrate structured digital education into schools and training pathways, not merely as the use of tools, but as the genuine development of skills. Educational programmes, certifications, workshops, and lifelong learning pathways can help young Italians bridge the gap and turn familiarity with technology into skills that can truly be put to use.