In October 2026, student protests calling for improvements in educational conditions were reported across France, including confrontations between students and police. Protesters raised concerns about teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings, and other problems affecting their learning environments.

    An article published by JBpress on October 14 described people calling on others to use their smartphones to record incidents in which high school students were reportedly subjected to violence by police officers.

According to the report, even when bystanders could not directly stop the violence, recording the incidents could help preserve evidence for later investigation and accountability.

    Smartphones are often discussed in relation to risks for children and adolescents, including excessive gaming and social media use, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. However, this report highlights another important role of smartphones: they can also serve as tools for protecting children's safety and rights.

    It is important to recognize that video recordings do not necessarily establish every aspect of an incident. Individual allegations require careful and independent verification.

Comment from GAME-F

Smartphones and social media can expose children to risks, but they can also help protect children's rights.

    In this report from France, smartphones were not primarily used for entertainment or communication. Instead, they were described as tools for documenting alleged violence and supporting the protection of individual rights.

However, recording an incident and sharing the footage on social media are not the same. Public distribution may create additional concerns, including the privacy and safety of those involved, as well as misunderstandings caused by sharing videos without sufficient context.

    When considering children's use of digital devices, it is important to look beyond screen time and the risks of problematic use. How and why children use these technologies also matter.

    Digital literacy education should help children and adolescents understand how to use smartphones appropriately, protect themselves from harm, and respect the rights and privacy of others.

References

JBpress. Ako Nagasue. “Film it!” — Smartphones as a Means of Protecting Students During Protests in France. October 14, 2026.
https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/97477

FNN Prime Online. Renewed Student Protests in France. October 14, 2026.
https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/1132884

AFPBB News. French President Macron Says Student Protests Are Being “Exploited” by Political Groups. October 15, 2026.
https://a-www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3657613