But younger generations are taking an increasingly critical view of the digital skills they learn in school, according to a recent survey by Dell Technologies.

Although young people are often described as “digital natives”, knowing how to use digital technology is not necessarily a given for everyone. That’s why it’s on the school curriculum in many countries.

But Gen Zers aren’t necessarily satisfied with what they’re learning in school when it comes to IT and digital skills, the survey said.

The global PC manufacturer surveyed 15,105 adults between the ages of 18 and 26 from 15 countries worldwide. It found that a significant portion of them are dissatisfied with the IT education they receive or received during their school years.

Some 44% of respondents say they were taught only “very basic” digital skills. Even worse, 12% say they received no education at all in technology or digital skills at school.

And this is not without consequences when these young people enter the job market. Indeed, there is a strong demand for digital skills, in computer science and programming, across nearly all sectors of activity.

But professionals don’t necessarily feel confident about their abilities. Nearly one in three employees in the United States feel they lack basic digital skills, according to a 2020 report from the National Skills Coalition.

So how can this lack of digital literacy be addressed? For the young people surveyed by Dell, governments and businesses have a role to play in bridging the digital gap.

Members of Generation Z are also determined to tackle this issue head on, with 36% planning to deepen their digital skills on their own. The goal is to improve their employability and become more empowered citizens.

And this is for good reason, since 64% of Gen Zers believe technology will be significant in tackling the climate crisis.