Digital competence, social networks and apps in education: Views and beliefs of users of the Twitter virtual domain

Abstract

This paper sets forth the preliminary results obtained from a study on the Twitter social networking service, where the main purpose was to learn, describe and analyse its users’ opinions on social networks, digital competences and apps in education. The sample consisted of 1101 Twitter messages (761 tweets on digital competence, 275 on social networks and education and 83 on apps in education) posted by users from different countries, mainly Spain, Latin American countries and the USA. This qualitative study using NVivo software conveys the importance that users of the microblogging service Twitter attach to the training, mastery and control of digital competences associated with the use of different social media for good performance at the personal, social, economic, professional, academic and family levels. Additionally, it provides evidence of the permanent concern for the youngest to gain awareness and be trained in safe internet use that will protect them from the potential dangers of the online world.