Eurobarometer: Digital skills need equal priority in schools alongside reading, maths, and science

Nine in ten Europeans would include digital skills into education at all levels, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published last December 11. The ‘Future Needs in Digital Education’ survey  reveals citizens’ views on the importance of digital skills in education, including the role of teachers, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the benefits and challenges of technology in teaching and learning.

EU citizens overwhelmingly agree (92%) that schools have a critical role to play in teaching how to cope with the potential negative impacts of digital technologies on mental health and wellbeing. Moreover, 78% of Europeans believe that digital skills should receive the same amount of attention at school as reading, mathematics, and science. 80% agree that digital literacy helps protect them against online misinformation and disinformation. A strong majority (89%) believe that all teachers should be equipped with the necessary skills to teach students how to discern fact from fiction online and navigate the complexities of digital information.

Although respondents express overall support for the ban of smartphones in schools (69%), there is a broad consensus (87%) in favour of promoting digital technologies specifically designed for learning in schools. At the same time, more than half (54%) recognise that AI brings both benefits and challenges for teaching and learning and call for its further assessment.

Citizens believe the EU has an important role to play in setting standards for the use of digital technologies in education, for example on data protection or AI (49%).

The Flash Eurobarometer survey was conducted online across the 27 EU countries between 7 and 14 May 2025. It is based on answers from 25 781 Europeans.

Next Steps

The Eurobarometer survey will help inform the European Commission’s efforts to strengthen digital education in the EU. In 2026, as part of the Union of Skills, the Commission will adopt an Education package, including a 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills.

Background

The EU has made digital education a priority. The Digital Education Action Plan sets out a common vision of high-quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe.

Central to these efforts are initiatives like Ethical Guidelines on the use of AI and data in teaching and learning and the Guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy through education and training. These tools are designed to enhance digital education in European schools and ensure that everyone benefits from effective and ethical use of digital tools.

More information: European Commission