Abstract

Learn, Connect, Engage, Thrive Together is the Council of Europe’s motto declaring 2025 as the Year of Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) to provide young citizens with innovative opportunities to develop the values, attitudes, skills, and knowledge needed to participate fully and take responsibility in society. This study uses a qualitative research design to explore the integration of DCE in curricula and institutional strategies at eight European universities. The dimensions around which this paper is structured correspond to the three pillars through which the Council of Europe defines DCE: being online, well-being, and rights online. The qualitative analysis indicates that European universities included in the study address most of the competencies central to DCE, but there are gaps in some domains, as depicted in the online communication materials examined. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach taking into account all dimensions corresponding to digital citizenship education to better prepare students to participate ethically and responsibly in today’s digital age.

Keywords: being online; digital citizenship competencies; digital citizenship education; rights online; well-being online