Essential Digital Skills (EDS)

These are the skills required to be digitally proficient in day-to-day life and work.

About the Essential Digital Skills (EDS) framework

The Essential Digital Skills (EDS) framework is used by Lloyds Bank to assess the levels of digital capability across the UK, as part of their annual Consumer Digital Index. The framework reflects the range of skills people need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world.

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Futuredotnow - UK Essential Digital Skills for Work

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It outlines five key skills and the digital tasks that people should be able to complete to demonstrate each skill in both life and work. The framework is underpinned by the foundation skills an individual needs to access technology at the most basic level (e.g., turning a device on, using a mouse).

Five essential digital skill areas

  1. Communicating
  2. Handling information and content
  3. Transacting
  4. Problem solving
  5. Being safe and legal online

The foundation level

The Foundation Level consists of eight tasks that make up the most fundamental tasks to set up an individual for success online. An individual needs to perform all eight tasks without assistance to have the Foundation Level.

  • You can turn on the device and enter any account login information as required
  • You can use the available controls on your device (e.g. mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, trackpad)
  • You can use the different settings on your device to make it easier to use (e.g. adjust font size, volume settings, brightness of screen, voice activation or screen readers)
  • You can find and open different applications/programmes/platforms on your devices (e.g. opening a web browser, messaging applications)
  • You can set up a connection to a Wi-Fi network on your devices (e.g. when at home, work, out in public or visiting family and friends)
  • You can open an Internet browser to find and use websites (e.g. Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge)
  • You can keep your login information and passwords for a device and any accounts secure (e.g. not shared with anyone or written down or left prominently near a device)
  • You can update and change your password when prompted to do so

Life Essential Digital Skills

These are the tasks and skills required to be digitally proficient in day-to-day life. An individual must be able to do at least one task within each of the five Life skills to have Life EDS .

Every day communication

Every day handling of information and content

Personal Transacting

Personal problem solving

Essential digital skills for every day communication

  1. You can set up accounts which help you communicate online (e.g. email, social media, forums)
  2. You can communicate with others digitally using email or other messaging applications (e.g. WhatsApp or Messenger, direct messaging on social media such as Instagram, Facebook etc)
  3. You can use software to create, write or edit documents (e.g. Microsoft Word/Google docs/Pages for a CV/letter)
  4. You can share files or links with others by attaching to an email, uploading to a website or an application (e.g. proof of address/identity, sharing an image, or link via WhatsApp)
  5. You can make and receive video calls (e.g. Facetime, Zoom, Facebook Portal or WhatsApp call)
  6. You can post messages, photographs, videos or blogs on social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or Snapchat)

Essential skills for every day handling of information and content

  1. You can recognise what information or content online may, or may not, be trustworthy. For example, fact checked information, “fake news” or assess the trustworthiness of a company based on customer reviews.
  2. You can use search engines to find information you are looking for. For example, search news, weather or train times.
  3. You can store and back up photos, messages, documents or other information. For example, to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, your desktop or storage drives.
  4. You can use the cloud to access content from different devices. For example, on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
  5. You can use the Internet to stream or download entertainment content. For example, to watch films or TV series, listen to music, play games or read books through services like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix or BBC iPlayer.

Essential skills for personal transacting

  1. You can set up an account online that enables you to buy goods or services. For example, at Amazon, eBay, supermarkets or other retailers.
  2. You can fill in forms online to access the services you need. For example, for voting registration, ordering repeat prescriptions, booking doctor appointments, train tickets or beauty appointments.
  3. You can buy goods/services online using online payments (e.g. Debit/credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Worldpay)
  4. You can manage your money and transactions online (e.g. View balance or transfer funds via Internet or mobile banking app, manage spending through PayPal account, manage payments on finance plan)

Essential skills for personal digital problem solving

  1. You can use the Internet to find information that helps you solve problems (e.g. by using search engines, web chat, FAQs and forums)
  2. You can use the Internet to improve your skills and ability to do new things (e.g. using online tutorials, learning platforms and how-to guides)

Work Essential Digital Skills

These are the tasks and skills required to be digitally proficient in the workplace. An individual must be able to do at least one task within each of the five Work skills to have Work EDS .

Communicating at work

Handling information and content at work

Transacting at work

Problem solving at work

Essential digital skills for communiating at work

  1. You can communicate in the workplace digitally using messaging applications. For example by Email, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, internal Intranet, or WhatsApp.
  2. You can use workplace digital tools to create, share and collaborate with colleagues. For example, using Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, G-Suite, Office 365, WeTransfer, DropBox, WebEx, or Slack.
  3. You can set up and manage an account on a professional online network, community or job site. For example, on LinkedIn, Total Jobs, or Indeed.

Essential skills for handling information and content at work

  1. You can follow your organisation’s IT policies when sharing information internally and externally (e.g. classifying
    emails/documents, encrypting sensitive information, sharing appropriate information on social media)
  2. You can securely access, synchronise and share information at work across different devices (e.g. manage email, calendar or appointment system via different devices)

Essential skills for digital transacting at work

  1. You can complete digital records on behalf of, or within your organisation. For example, for absence management, holidays, timesheets, expenses, or tax returns.
  2. You can access salary and tax information digitally. For example, to access your password protected payslips, P60, or P45.

Essential skills for digital problem solving at work

  1. You can find information online that helps you solve work related problems. For example, using Search Engines, IT helpdesk, software providers, or peer networks.
  2. You can use appropriate software that is required of your day-to-day job. For example, to create spreadsheets, use online booking systems, HR management, workflow or sales management.
  3. You can improve your skills and ability to do new things at work using online tutorials, learning platforms and how-to guides. For example, by using LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, iDEA, Skillsoft, or internal learning platforms.
  4. You can improve your own and/or the organisation’s productivity using digital tools. For example, on Trello, Microsoft Projects and Planner, or Slack.

Being safe and legal online

Being safe and legal online involves nine skills which are essential for both the Life EDS and Work EDS frameworks.

  • You can act with caution online and understand that there are risks and threats involved in carrying out activities online. For example, use anti-virus software, classify and share information securely or avoid certain types of websites such as piracy websites.
  • You can set privacy and marketing settings for websites and your accounts. For example, by managing social media privacy settings, managing cookie settings, or updating contact preferences.
  • You can follow data protection guidelines online. For example, by following data storage and retention guidelines, and not sharing or using other people’s data or media, such as movies or music, without their consent.
  • You can respond to requests for authentication for online accounts. For example, by resetting your password when you have forgotten it, using two factor authentication, or using a remote access key or an authenticator app.
  • You can identify secure websites. For example, by looking for the padlock and ‘https’ in the address bar.
  • You can recognise suspicious links and know that clicking on these links or downloading unfamiliar attachments is a risk. For example, spam or phishing emails, text messages, or pop ups.
  • You can update your device software or operating system when necessary to prevent viruses and other risks. For example, by enabling automatic updates, or installing when prompted to do so.
  • You can identify secure Wi-Fi networks to connect to. For example, by using Wi-Fi networks where a unique password is required, and looking for a trusted source or padlock next to Wi-Fi network.
  • You can be careful with what you share online as you know that online activity produces a permanent record that can be accessed by others. For example, publicly shared photos, forums, personal information or opinions.