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JIMINY SELF-HELP HANDBOOK 6

 ability to create digital content (including programming),
 security (including digital comfort and cyber-security competences),
 intellectual property issues,
 troubleshooting,
 critical thinking.
Why do we need them?
As you already know, digital skills underpin almost every aspect of living. The more digitalized you are
opens doors to more opportunities in various aspects of life. This fact is necessitated by globalisation
and the increasing requirements of many jobs. Your learners are not necessarily aware about this or
that updating skills is a critical factor determining competition on the labour market. You can explain
to your learners the various aspects of digitalization in their lives.
Digital skills are important as a set of skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary to understand and use
the basic functions of ICT, including such devices as: personal computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones,
and smartphones. IT skills are often confused with informational skills that allow users to search,
evaluate and skilfully use information from different sources.

ICT competencies are essential for participation in an increasingly digitalized society. Digital skills
enable continuous development, increase society's ability to adapt to changes on the labour market.
Digital skills and their wide use by the society are an opportunity for further development of the
economy and enable to increase its competitiveness. They increase access to knowledge and
information, promote the acquisition of skills necessary in all periods of life and areas of social and
professional activity.

Digital skills are also essential for effective use of digital media for professional, educational and
recreational purposes. They consist in the ability to use digital media, the ability to understand and
critically evaluate different aspects of digital media and their content and the ability to communicate
effectively in different contexts. Without basic digital skills it is difficult to participate fully in social
life. The prevalence of use and the level of advancement of digital skills in society are becoming a
determinant of the dynamics of economic development.
Moreover, the European Commission's policy fosters an innovation-driven online platforms'
environment in the EU and has identified key areas of interest in its Communication on Online
Platforms of May 2016 to support the development of online platforms, identifying them as an
important part of digital economy. These include the following guiding principles:

 A level playing field for comparable digital services;
 Ensure responsible behaviour of online platforms to protect core values;
 Foster trust, transparency and ensure fairness on online platforms;
 Keep markets open and non-discriminatory to foster a data-driven economy.
Why is this demand a challenge?

Digital skills are constantly changing. To keep up with these changes requires lifelong learning, the
acquisition of innovative skills and effective use of the opportunities offered by digital networks and
media. The emergence and development of new digital technologies are therefore not indifferent to
the labour market. New solutions, which are created as a result of automation and efficiency increase,
contribute to the emergence of new professions, which replace some of the existing ones. With such
a dynamic spread of information and communication technologies, digital skills are no longer the
domain of specialist IT staff. Basic skills are required in almost every area of life, as well as at work.