Can we still disconnect?

Experts warn that escaping screens is becoming harder — almost a privilege — as essential services move fully online

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As the dangers of excessive digital consumption become increasingly apparent, the ability to disconnect is becoming a luxury.

Will disconnecting from the internet soon be reserved for only the very privileged few?

According to Ouest France, a French newspaper, nearly one in five French people said in 2025 that they wanted to reduce their digital usage, while Statista noted that 9 per cent of French people wanted to decrease their time spent on social networks.

This wish reflects a significant trend: average screen time continues to rise—more than five hours a day on average — raising concerns among civil society, researchers, and, more recently, policymakers. Last April, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal even called for a “state of emergency against screens.”

A collective awakening