Digital literacy has become one of Brazil's major challenges on the path to social and economic inclusion. In a world where technology permeates all spheres of life, the lack of digital skills not only excludes millions of Brazilians from educational and job opportunities but also makes them vulnerable to misinformation and cyber risks.
The portrait of digital literacy in Brazil
A survey conducted by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) in 2024 revealed that only 30% of the Brazilian population possess basic digital skills, while only 18% have reached an intermediate level of proficiency. The data reveals a concerning reality: most Brazilians struggle to perform simple tasks in the digital environment, such as accessing online public services, using internet security tools, or distinguishing reliable information from fake news.
Infrastructure and training
Poor infrastructure, especially in rural and peripheral regions, is one of the main obstacles to the expansion of digital literacy in the country. According to the Internet Steering Committee in Brazil (CGI.br), in its 2024 study, approximately 35% of Brazilian households still do not have adequate access to quality internet. Furthermore, the lack of educational programs focused on digital training prevents students and teachers from acquiring the necessary skills to navigate the digital environment in a productive and safe manner.
The digitization of public and private services has made digital literacy an essential skill for citizenship. In 2024, the Ministry of Communications reinforced the need to expand digital training to reduce inequalities.
The National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), through Opinion CNE/CEB No. 2/2022, established clear parameters for teaching computing and technology in basic education. The document guides schools to develop curricula that include digital skills such as computational thinking, ethical use of technology, and problem-solving from the early years of elementary education.
Furthermore, the recently enacted Law No. 15.100/2025 regulates the use of electronic devices in classrooms, prohibiting indiscriminate use of cell phones but allowing their pedagogical use under teacher supervision. The measure aims to balance discipline and innovation, allowing digital technologies to be integrated into teaching for educational purposes.
Personalized teaching is one of the most promising strategies in this context. The use of data analysis to tailor learning to students' individual needs has shown significant gains in digital literacy. In the State of São Paulo, for example, adaptive platforms are being tested to identify specific deficiencies and offer tailored solutions.
Another critical point is the digital exclusion of the elderly. To address this problem, Bill 4263/24 was presented in the Chamber of Deputies in March 2025, proposing the creation of the National Digital Literacy Program for Elderly People. The initiative aims to empower this segment of the population and reduce their vulnerability to digital challenges.
Ongoing initiatives
Several actions are being implemented to mitigate the challenges of digital literacy in Brazil. Programs like Telecentros, which offer free internet access and technological training courses, have played a crucial role in democratizing access to technology. The Acessa São Paulo Program is another example of an initiative aimed at providing infrastructure and digital training for vulnerable communities.
In this context, digital platforms like Britannica School, from Britannica Education, emerge as strategic allies. Aimed at elementary and high school students, the platform promotes the development of skills and competencies aligned with the BNCC, serving as a complementary tool to the curriculum-based teaching.
In Minas Gerais, the partnership between the State Department of Education (SEE/MG) and Britannica Education has already benefited more than 1.6 million students in the state network. Furthermore, the project provides an educational digital collection, containing tens of thousands of articles, as well as over 3 million images and videos aimed at education, with image rights cleared.
To ensure that teachers can use this collection effectively, 30 teachers from the School of Training and Professional Development of Educators of SEE/MG participated in a training in August 2024. Furthermore, Britannica Education is developing content focused on Mineira culture, enriching the educational material and making it more attractive to students.
Future advances
The expansion of digital literacy in Brazil depends on more public and private investments, the training of educators, and the creation of programs that reach marginalized populations. Ensuring that all Brazilians have basic digital skills is a fundamental step to reduce social inequalities, promote the digital economy, and strengthen democracy in times of misinformation.
The transition to a digitally literate country is a challenge, but also an opportunity. If the right policies are implemented, Brazil can become an example of digital inclusion and prepare its population for the challenges and opportunities of the information age.