ABSTRACT
In an increasingly digitalized social context, digital competences have become a fundamental resource for social participation, access to opportunities and independent living. Accordingly, this study examines the impact of digital competence on the lives of young people residing in child protection residential care centres in Galicia (Spain). The sample consisted of 245 participants (49.8% female) aged 16 years and over (M = 16.71, SD = 0.71) living in residential care. Participants completed the PLANEA Scale, designed to assess independent living skills, and the Youth Digital Skills Indicator, an instrument measuring digital competences. A nonexperimental, quantitative, descriptive and inferential study design was employed. The results indicate that young people in residential care centres demonstrate high levels of digital competence and independent living skills. Furthermore, the findings show that having a high level of digital competence is associated with greater independence in adult life. These results invite reflection on the importance of digital competence for independent living and highlight the need to continue implementing digital literacy strategies within social work interventions with young people, promoting equitable access to technology and reducing digital vulnerability.