Basic education students’ digital competence in the area of communication: The influence of online communication and the use of social networks

Abstract

The global public health crisis unleashed by the COVID‐19 pandemic has made it clear that digital competence in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Online communication with friends using social networks is an activity in which young people very frequently and at increasingly early ages engage. This article presents the results of a study analyses digital‐competence levels in the area of communication of Spanish basic‐education students (aged 12–16) and establishes whether online communication with friends and the use of social media impact it. A quantitative methodology with a descriptive and cross‐sectional design was used. The sample comprised 807 students, and data collection was based on a problem‐solving test. Findings show that students who use online communication with their friends very often and that those who use social networks a lot have lower levels of digital competence. Education centres should reflect on this in order to implement curricular programs that may strengthen this type of competence.