DigComp Child is a European Union-funded project under the CERV-2025-CHILD call that will develop an evidence-based digital competence curriculum for adolescents aged 12 to 16.
The consortium brings together Save the Children Spain, Fad Juventud, the European Association for Digital Transition (AETD), the Regional Government of Castilla y León, and Save the Children Albania.
The project is built on the principle that every adolescent has the right to participate in the digital world in a safe, inclusive and informed way. This also means having the right to acquire the skills, knowledge and independent thinking needed to navigate and thrive in digital environments safely and responsibly, with full awareness of their rights.
To achieve this, DigComp Child will provide a scalable, evidence-based tool tested in real classrooms, designed to facilitate the integration of an adaptable digital competence curriculum into formal education.
THE CHALLENGE
The widespread assumption that children and adolescents are “digital natives” has created a false sense of competence.
Evidence shows, however, that many young people struggle to protect their personal data, identify misinformation, understand the implications of their digital footprint or recognise the impact of excessive screen use. Issues such as appearance-related pressure, misinformation, hate speech and cyberbullying also affect girls, LGBTQI+ young people and adolescents in vulnerable contexts in different ways. Addressing these challenges requires an evidence-based and gender-sensitive response across different areas, with education playing a central role.
In line with European digital competence frameworks, DigComp Child has identified eight essential digital competences to be developed with children and adolescents:
- Digital Citizen Identity
- Privacy Management
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Footprint
- Digital Empathy
- Cybersecurity Management
- Cyberbullying Management
- Screen Time Management
However, many teachers do not feel sufficiently prepared to address these issues. Different studies indicate that a significant proportion lack specific training, while students do not always perceive teachers as key reference figures for strengthening their digital competences.
The challenge is therefore to provide teachers with a shared framework, clear tools and practical classroom resources that enable them to support adolescents in developing these eight key digital competences and, ultimately, to promote a safer, healthier, more critical, responsible and beneficial use of the internet.
OUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
Our solution is to develop a digital competence curriculum for adolescents aged 12 to 16, empowering them across these eight key areas.
To ensure its effectiveness, the project will begin with a comprehensive diagnostic phase, analysing good practices, regulatory gaps and educational needs in Spain and across Europe. This process will also include participatory sessions with secondary school students from different backgrounds and contexts, ensuring that the curriculum is grounded in real evidence and responds to the specific needs of both students and teachers.
Building on this diagnosis, DigComp Child will develop a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum, co-designed with the participation of adolescents, teachers, experts and other key stakeholders. This collaborative approach will help ensure that the curriculum responds to a diverse range of educational contexts and social realities.
The project also incorporates a strong scientific dimension through a rigorous impact evaluation in educational settings. High ethical and methodological standards will be applied to assess the curriculum’s real impact on students’ digital competences and to generate robust evidence for its future scalability and transferability.