Digital literacy

31.1.2017

Question for written answer E-000569-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu (S&D)

In an era of digitalisation, with all the opportunities and dangers it entails, the education system must create an environment conducive to the knowledge, use and improvement of new technologies, so that they can contribute to the development of humanity by raising living standards and cultural levels.

Despite all talk of the growing importance of the Internet and its use in all social and economic walks of life, the fact is that certain sectors of the EU population are excluded from the digital literacy process which seeks to facilitate ongoing adaptation to new technologies, recognition of the value of digital information and the ability to use it and mastery of online date distribution and communication.

Developing digital literacy is crucial for increasing employment at EU level, given that, by 2020, around 90% of jobs in the EU will probably require some basic digital skills. As things now stand, however, 20% of the EU population has no digital skills, while 40% has insufficient skills in this area.

In view of this:

What specific measures will the Commission take in cooperation with the Member States, to step up support for efforts by local and regional authorities to organise digital literacy programmes, especially in rural areas?