In 2008 a group of MIT scholars published a book focused on IT and how it is used to engage in politics, governance, and democratic processes. The term they coined, “digital citizen”, encapsules this idea of using the internet consistently and effectively in a way that reflects the person’s roles and behaviour in civil society. With the increasing datafication of our societies, we ought to discuss more in depth what does “digital citizenship” mean, is it achievable for everyone, and what are the skills needed to participate effectively in the process?

DIGITALIZATION AND PLATFOMIZATION – CORNERSTONES OF THE CURRENT INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT

In 2026 more and more legislative proposals are being passed, focusing on regulating digital technologies and the information environment. The Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), AI Act are few of the examples on European soil of the legislative trend that inevitably follows from the increased digitalization and platfomization of our daily lives. The internet at its very beginning, when it became available for the wider public, was an instrument for democratisation and provided for freer access to information and communication. Today big platforms and companies own quasi-monopolies over the online environment, leading to power asymmetries between those providing data and those controlling and trading it.

Digitalization means that a growing part of the political processes, such as sharing information, political messaging, policy debates, citizens’ mobilisation and organisation, happen online. So being a “digital citizen” extends beyond owning a device and being online. With the advancement of technology, we “get more” in terms of what we can do, but it also means that a new field of political contestation is opened and companies are already trying to fill it. But in an era of growing monopolies, where users’ data is collected and sold to increase the algorithms’ efficiency, where surveillance of communication is becoming a bigger risk every day, how do we ensure not only the safety, but also the inclusiveness of our societies? These are the conditions necessary for preserving the health of our democracies and the effectiveness of civil participation.

THE DIGITAL CITIZEN’S “TOOLKIT”

Being able to actively participate as a citizen in the digital environment requires both technical and cognitive skills, including basic knowledge of the tech, media and visual literacy, and last, but not least, critical thinking. Not only does this prevent people from being taken advantage of online but also ensures the responsible and effective use of technology.

We also need to understand the second part of the equation – “citizenship”. Today it supposes the existence of certain political and social rights of the person, which can and ought to be defended. In modern times societies have reached an understanding that citizens are “born equal” and that principle of non-discrimination is enshrined in many legal traditions, including in EU legislation. But, when we take into account the unequal access to technologies, the varying levels of digital literacy across societies and demographics, and the asymmetrical economic opportunities available to some, can we still claim that we are all equal?

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

All these points are important aspects that need to be addressed by policymakers when they deal with issues related to the digital environment.

Internet freedom: Reports show internet freedom declining globally, with worrying implications for the preservation of human rights, such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and non-discrimination. Even more so, we are starting to see the negative effects that blocking citizens’ access to internet services have during elections and crises. Such restrictions can limit access to information, disrupt communication and hinder civic participation.

Internet access: It is not only governments or regimes that influence who can participate in digital spaces. Other factors can also shape access to the internet. These include living in remote areas without the necessary infrastructure, unreliable network coverage, economic barriers or simply not having the skills necessary to navigate in a digital environment. People of lower socieoeconomic status or the elderly are typically the ones the most affected.

Digital literacy: Reports on the development of digital skills among populations are also worrying. According to data by the European Commission, 90% of the jobs in the EU require at least elementary digital knowledge, while more than 30% of EU citizens still lack basic digital skills with great discrepancies across nationalities and age groups.

Economic opportunities: Information is power and, in a society, where algorithms are used for virtually anything, whoever has access to large sets of data holds power in the decision-making process. Not restricting the ways companies utilize users’ data potentially endangers citizens’ privacy and infringes upon their rights but also leaves the door open for potential security risks.

… AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

To tackle these concerns, measures need to be taken in multiple directions:

→ Ensure equal and fair access to technologies and the internet. Improve digital and media literacy to reduce the digital divide.

→ Invest and build technologies that work for the users and not just in the interest of state actors or industrial lobbies.

→ Protect users’ personal data and privacy online.

→ Promote and defend citizen participation and transparency as core pillars of democracy.

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