Digital education for all

When we talk about education, we talk about digitalization. Nowadays, it is impossible to separate technological development from the educational field. An increasing number of elements in our lives depend on the use of technological tools, so education must integrate the technological realm to be considered quality education.

The right to education is recognized by Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which establishes the right to the “full development of the human personality.” At the core of this article lies a fundamental aspect of education: literacy.

Literacy, understood as the ability to read and write, is the fundamental pillar of education because it is through these skills that we can name, know, interact, and communicate with our world. In this way, individuals can build identity and autonomy, thereby developing fully. Now, we face an even greater challenge for our time: digital literacy.

Similar to the traditional definition of the word, digital literacy refers to the ability to perform various tasks in a digital environment. This can range from the most basic levels of interaction with technology to the ability to locate, research, and analyze information using these tools. Beyond communication, digital literacy becomes the ability to create and understand information through digital means.

More and more aspects of our lives transcend the digital environment. According to the World Bank, some of the most digitized sectors in recent years (according to the number of downloads of applications in those sectors) are: business, shopping, finance, tools, medicine, and food services, with entertainment coming in seventh place. This demonstrates that technology is becoming increasingly important in vital aspects of our daily lives and human development. In this situation, digital illiteracy can result in the development of inequalities, lack of access to resources or services to meet basic needs, and even social isolation.

Exploring the world of digital education also brings a series of new challenges and definitions to consider. For example, there is a difference between the aforementioned digital literacy and e-learning or virtual learning. The former refers to the actions we can take to develop the technological capabilities mentioned earlier, while e-learning refers to the integration of technology into the educational field. An example of this is the virtual libraries integrated by many educational institutions. In the case of Latin America, e-learning represents an increasing challenge. With private universities integrating these tools more easily, e-learning becomes a transformative element of the social structure and a determining factor for access to aspects of society, generating or widening inequalities among individuals.

At the core of digital education, cybersecurity becomes indispensable. More than a luxury, anyone or any organization that engages in any kind of activity in the digital space must be informed about the risks involved and how to protect themselves from them. According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2021, nearly 60% of the child population were victims of some type of cyberbullying. Cyberattacks on individuals reached up to 16.8 million in 2022, and finally, in 2024, there were up to 467,000 attacks aimed at businesses or organizations daily. All of us, who inhabit the digital environment in some way, are susceptible to being victims of some type of attack or violence.

Thus, digital education is also relevant for organizations. Like anyone else, there can be companies with high rates of digital illiteracy, limiting their growth and making them more prone to suffering some type of cyberattack.

In conclusion, the intersection of education and digitalization represents a crucial aspect of our contemporary development. The integration of digital literacy into education is not only essential for equipping individuals with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly technological world, but is also fundamental for promoting equity and social inclusion.

As we move toward a society where digitalization permeates almost every aspect of life, it is vital that education addresses not only technical capabilities but also incorporates elements of cybersecurity to protect users. Without a comprehensive approach that considers both digital literacy and cybersecurity, we risk exacerbating existing inequalities and limiting individuals’ potential for full development in a digital environment. Therefore, digital education must be a global priority, ensuring that all citizens are prepared to face the challenges of the future.