On 12 March 2025, the Atert-Lycée Redange hosted a significant round-table discussion on the project ‘ Media and mental health: do the Internet & Co. really make you ill? Organised in collaboration with ALIA and the SNPJ, the event brought together students, teachers, experts and the Minister for Education, Claude Meisch, for an in-depth discussion on the effects of digital technology on mental well-being.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the results of an experiment carried out by the students over the summer: for a two-week period, they analysed and documented their screen time, revealing some surprising habits. The data was presented to the minister, who was able to react live and engage in an open and constructive dialogue with the young people about their findings and feelings.
Discussions also focused on the role of algorithms and their influence on user behaviour. Samra Cindrak (ALIA) detailed the attention-grabbing mechanisms that make digital platforms so addictive. She also highlighted the differences in the way young people learn about health, highlighting the differences in reliability between sources and the need for a critical approach to online content.
Another central topic was the new regulations on the use of smartphones in schools. From Easter 2025, smartphones will be banned in primary schools, while in secondary education they will have to be kept out of reach during lessons. Each secondary school will be able to adapt these measures according to its needs. The discussions raised some crucial questions: how can these restrictions be applied effectively? What concrete effects can be expected on the concentration and well-being of students?
The evening ended with an interactive discussion in which students and experts shared their thoughts and proposals.
