Who Supports the Digitalization of Education? New Survey Evidence From Six OECD Countries

This paper investigates how citizens perceive and evaluate the digitalization of education. Drawing on original survey data from six OECD countries (Germany, Japan, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the US), the study addresses the overarching question: Does public opinion support or inhibit the digital transformation of education? The analysis focuses on three core aspects in this regard—perceptions of state performance, demand for digital device use in schools, and concerns about data governance. Findings reveal cautious but conditional public support: while many endorse digitalization, significant concerns persist about data privacy, especially regarding private tech companies. Support varies systematically by socio‐economic status, age, household composition as well as in line with general dispositions and attitudes towards global technology companies. The paper also identifies a significant degree of cross‐country variation, which, however, does not neatly map onto existing welfare state regimes.