There is no such thing as a ‘digital native’

Last Friday, 26 June, the 2026 edition of the Smart & Social Awards took place at the ‘Silvio Di Francia’ House of Culture and Sport in Rome’s 5th Municipal District. ‘The cities that make the city’, an initiative promoted by Smart People FLM Communications in collaboration with Rome’s 5th Municipal District to highlight social, cultural and civic experiences that improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods [see the news item The cities that make the city].

Fondazione Mondo Digitale took part in the event with a presentation on digital education and an information stand for the Vivi Internet, al meglio project, the training programme created by Google and promoted by the Foundation to help young people and adults navigate the web with awareness, responsibility and safety.

During the evening, various perspectives were shared on the relationship between the local area, innovation and digital citizenship.

Maura Lostia, vice-president and councillor for Rome’s 5th Municipality, highlighted the importance of supporting organisations that promote digital awareness and new approaches to innovation, emphasising the value of collaboration between institutions and associations in building a more active and engaged local community.

Andrea Fragasso, CEO of Smart & City Communication, outlined the vision behind the Smart & Social Awards and the Roma Smart City Awards. He also pointed out that ‘smart’ also means intelligent: this is why the awards recognise initiatives capable of making a tangible impact on citizens’ lives, highlighting the value and beauty present within the municipal districts.

Nicoletta Vulpetti, a trainer at Fondazione Mondo Digitale, spoke on the topic ‘There is no such thing as a digital native’, challenging the notion that young people are automatically digitally literate. She explained that knowing how to use technology does not mean using it responsibly, and that today online and offline lives are closely intertwined. She emphasised the importance of guiding young people and adults to navigate this space responsibly and highlighted the central role of the educational community: strong, caring relationships help more than any ban, because in the digital world, as in life, “you cannot save yourself on your own”.

The presence of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale at the Smart & Social Awards confirmed the importance of collaborative work between institutions, associations and educational communities. Through the Vivi Internet, al meglio project and its day-to-day work in the local area, the Foundation continues to promote a digital culture that is informed, inclusive and focused on people’s wellbeing, helping to strengthen the networks that make neighbourhoods more active and resilient.