The article analyzes the tendencies in the development of digital literacy of citizens of European Union member states in educational institutions. The urgency of the study is driven by the need to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively in the epoch of 4--the Industrial Revolution. This study focuses on analyzing the approaches needed to build digital literacy, as well as identifying its key development criteria in the education systems of the UK, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Estonia. Attention is drawn to the existing documents and programs that formulate conceptual trendsways for digital literacy across Europe. At the same time, in the European Union there is no common model that reflects the ways and methods of digital literacy, each country defining its priorities for achieving the goals. It is noted that digital literacy is characterized as one of the key skills for developing the professional competencies of a teacher and a competitive specialist. Based on the study of digital literacy experience abroad, it is possible to define a clear public policy focused on high levels of digital literacy and digital skills. The digitalization status of educational establishments and the population of Ukraine, which is defined as low, is compared. The main directions of the concept of development of the digital economy and society of Ukraine for 2018-2020 are described which aim to bridge the "digital divide" in comparison with the developed EU countries. It is concluded that it is precisely the educational institutions need significant reform. Based on the analysis of digital literacy approaches abroad, this study identifies priority areas for reforming education systems in the European Union in line with current labor market and digital society requirements.