Digital citizenship skills as an essential factor in Lifelong-Lifewide-Lifedeep Education

Abstract

Within the theoretical framework of Lifelong-Lifewide-Lifedeep Learning, lifelong education is now viewed as an individual and social learning process lasting an entire lifetime, involving various aspects of life and different formal, informal and non-formal agencies within the community. The web and online information, communication and knowledge exchange locations are additional social and cultural contexts for education and social experience, for the acquisition of the knowledge, abilities and skills required for active citizenship, social inclusion and the improvement of the learning and professional experiences of the individual and the community. Starting from these assumptions and considering the European DigComp 2.1 framework as one of the possible theoretical and operating schemes of reference, we discuss the concept of digital competence as a strategic opportunity for promoting digital citizenship skills, with a view to individuals’ active, informed, reflective, critical, empowering participation in their own learning process and in social and political life in the learning society.