Debate around the smartphone

The two characters discover the world and take photos automatically. This is their means of communication.

In class, we can hold a debate with the students on these three questions: 1- Why, nowadays, do we take a photo? (to keep a record, to capture a moment, to share information...) and what tool do we use for this? (camera or smartphone). 2- What role does the smartphone play in our society? What is it for? 3- Is it essential to own a smartphone? Can we do without it?

The idea is not to give your adult point of view on these three questions but to be able to let the students express themselves and argue around these points.

We can broaden the debate around screens in general. When are they essential? When do they become optional?

What is the "four no-screens" rule? No screens in the morning. No screens during meals. No screens before going to sleep. No screens in the child's room. For more information, the 4-step rule on Sabine Duflo's website...

Possible extensions

• Challenge the class with a screen-free week. More information on setting up a screen-free week in primary school on L’école des Juliettes. The Festival de l'école de la vie website The week without screens: The challenge that feels good!

In literature,

• “The screens,” Catherine Dolto and Colline Faure-Poirée, 2019.
• “The screens” (Mes p'tites questions collection)”, Audrey Guiller and Marie Mignot, 2017.
• “Rue des amis: I’m addicted to screens”, Sylvaine Jaoui and Annelore Parot, 2016.
• “10 days without screens”, Sophie Rigal-Goulard, 2015.
• Another short film from the platform on smartphones: “Sisters”, Anchi Shen, 2014. A little girl comes to give a gift to her big sister who, unfortunately, has little time to devote to her...