Smartphones might be everywhere, but that doesn’t mean kids are digital natives in the ways that matter. In fact, a growing number of educators are sounding the alarm: today’s students may be glued to screens, but when it comes to basic computer skills, many are surprisingly unprepared.
A Generation That Struggles With the Basics
You’d think growing up surrounded by technology would mean young people are tech-savvy. But ask any teacher, and you’ll hear a different story. From opening a Word document to knowing how to copy and paste, tasks that once seemed second nature now stump many high schoolers.
Anne Cordier, a researcher in information science, has worked with students from elementary to high school and confirms that a worrying number lack digital literacy. Cécile Cathelin, a literature teacher and digital education trainer, echoes this, pointing out that even in high school, students struggle with the simplest tasks.
The pandemic further exposed this reality. When remote learning became a necessity, many students were left behind—not because they lacked internet access, but because they didn’t know how to use a computer effectively.
Smartphones Are Not a Substitute for Computers
Part of the issue is that students’ digital lives revolve around smartphones. While they’re adept at scrolling through TikTok or snapping selfies, those skills don’t translate to using a spreadsheet or composing a formal email.
According to digital education expert Yasmine Buono, students’ relationship with tech is primarily recreational. “Knowing how to play video games doesn’t mean you can navigate a file system or edit a document,” she explains.
And the impact of smartphone-first habits goes beyond just software skills. Many students haven’t learned file organization, multitasking on desktop environments, or even typing efficiently—tools that are vital for academic and professional life.
Privilege Doesn’t Equal Proficiency
Surprisingly, this tech gap isn’t just about access. Even in private schools or households with highly educated parents, many teens still lack foundational computer skills. Cécile Cathelin notes that even parents in tech-savvy professions rarely pass down those skills at home. This underscores the idea that mere access to devices isn’t enough—intentional digital education is essential.
From Emojis to Emails: Communication Challenges
Beyond technical tasks, digital communication itself poses another challenge. Students used to texting or messaging apps often struggle to write formal emails or use polite phrasing. Buono emphasizes the need to teach students how to communicate effectively in different digital contexts—a skill that’s increasingly critical for job applications, academic requests, or even professional networking.
Rethinking Digital Education in Schools
So how do we bridge this growing gap? Several educators are calling for a more structured approach to digital literacy. Cathelin, through her platform Educatee, recommends bringing professional IT educators into schools to lead hands-on sessions. Anne Cordier, meanwhile, laments the slow disappearance of formal computer instruction from classrooms and calls for a reinvestment in tech education, with proper equipment and curriculum support.
Digital Natives? Not Quite.
In the end, it’s clear that growing up with tech doesn’t automatically translate to real-world digital fluency. If today’s students are to succeed in college, the workplace, or simply manage adult responsibilities like online banking or tax filings, schools—and families—will need to step up. As Buono puts it, “The smartphone taught them how to scroll. It’s time we teach them how to work.”