Digital Education Action Plan – Action 7
The digital information environment is complex. Algorithms, information bubbles and echo chambers influence what young people see online. At the same time, disinformation and harmful content are growing and affecting our democracies and individual well-being.
Education and training therefore play a key role in helping learners develop digital literacy.
The guidelines: practical support for your teaching
The Commission first published guidelines in 2022.
They are designed for teachers working in primary and secondary education levels, with little to no prior experience with digital literacy or disinformation.
They provide hands-on support you can apply to your everyday teaching:
- Practical tips to assess digital literacy
- A glossary and lesson plans about critical thinking, cyberbullying and generative AI
- Insights into digital pedagogy and the dimensions of disinformation
- Advice on discussing deceptive content and controversial issues.
What the update offers
The updated version (2026) reflects the latest developments in the digital landscape. It includes new sections on:
- generative AI and its link to disinformation
- social media use and the role of influencers
- pre-bunking (preparing learners to recognise manipulation before exposure)
- elaborate lesson plans and an updated glossary
- recommendations for school leaders and policymakers
How the guidelines work in your classroom
The guidelines will help you:
- better understand disinformation, including its latest developments, and how it can be addressed in the classroom
- navigate key and up to date definitions and concepts in the field of digital literacy and disinformation
- build digital literacy in your classroom and help students become digital citizens
- get inspiration on how to assess students in the area and evaluate digital literacy initiatives in your school
Think you can spot disinformation?
Watch and learn how the guidelines can help protect your classroom.
Why the guidelines matter
Recent European studies show clear gaps in young people’s digital skills – and strong expectations for education systems to act.
Digital skills among learners
- 43% of 14-year-olds do not reach the basic level of digital skills (ICILS, 2023)
Exposure to online information
- 76% of young people say they were exposed to disinformation or fake news in the past week (European Parliament Youth Survey, 2024)
- Only 36% of young people in the EU check or verify online content (Eurostat, 2024)
Public expectations
According to the 2025 Flash Eurobarometer:
- 8 in 10 people agree that digital skills and digital literacy help protect them from online disinformation
- 9 in 10 people believe teachers need the skills to help students recognise disinformation
Essential skills for digital literacy
The European Commission’s public consultation on the Digital Education Action Plan identified three key competences:
- identifying facts from false or misleading information
- managing information overload
- navigating safely online
Timeline
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2022 - first publication of the guidelines
The first version was published together with a final report, developed by the Commission’s expert group on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy through education and training
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2026 – updated version of the guidelines
The update was prepared by a working group of the European Digital Education Hub
Funding
This action receives funding through the Erasmus+ programme.