Story
Digital Life Is Part of Who You Are: Tell a Personal Story
Anonymous• France• 4 min read
English publication · interface translated · Source language: French
01Student testimonies
A habit you are proud of, or one you struggle with
Our digital habits are now part of our daily routine. Some help us learn or stay in touch with the people close to us. Others sometimes take up so much space that we find it hard to pull away from them. The students shared the habits they are proud of, but also the ones they are trying to fight.
“I use my phone every day. I often play games with my friends and I spend a lot of time on TikTok. Often, I don't notice the time passing. And yet I know this habit isn't good for me: it makes me lose a lot of time and tires my eyes. I'd like to manage to use my phone more sensibly.”
“I often use technology to study and to look for useful information. Thanks to the internet, I can learn a lot of things. I'm proud that I can use digital tools to make progress at school and to better understand the world around me.”
“I hardly use social media at all, because I don't really like it. It's a personal choice. I prefer to spend my time on other activities that I enjoy more.”
What we learn
- Digital habits are not good or bad in themselves: the same phone is a study tool for one student and a time sink for another. What makes the difference is the intention behind the use.
- The habit students struggle with most is losing track of time, especially on short-video apps. They already know the cost (wasted hours, tired eyes); what they lack is not awareness but a strategy.
- Choosing not to use social media is a legitimate, self-confident choice, not a deprivation. Some students simply prefer to give their time to other things.
02Student testimonies
A moment when you realised something important about your online life
Sometimes an event or a moment of reflection helps us better understand our relationship with digital technology. Here, the students describe moments when they became aware of the influence of the internet and social media on their daily lives.
“One day, I looked at how much time I was spending on social media. I was surprised to see the number of hours I spent on my phone every day without really realising it. At that moment, I understood that digital technology had a much bigger place in my life than I thought.”
“I use Instagram to call my friends and stay in touch with them. But I've also understood that there are dangers on the internet. Some people create fake profiles to deceive others or steal money from them. Realising this taught me to be more careful when I'm online.”
“I understood that the internet can be very useful for learning new things or communicating with my family. But I also realised that you need to know how to use your phone wisely. Otherwise, you can lose a lot of time and forget what matters in real life.”
What we learn
- Seeing the numbers changes things: checking real screen-time data was the moment one student understood how big a place the phone had in his life. Measuring is a first step towards control.
- Awareness is not only about time. Meeting fake profiles and scams online taught students to be more careful; safety and critical thinking are part of digital wellbeing too.
- The internet is useful for learning and family contact, but only when it is used deliberately. Otherwise it quietly pushes aside what matters in real life.
03Student testimonies
A change you have made, or would like to make
Reflecting on our habits sometimes makes us want to change. Here, several students express their wish to manage their screen time better and to find a balance between their digital life and their everyday life.
“Today, I try to limit the time I spend on my phone. I want to find a good balance between my digital life and my real life. I know the phone can be useful, but I don't want it to take over my whole day.”
“I'd like to stop being on my phone so much. When I spend too much time online, it sometimes makes me sad and makes me lose confidence in myself. I'd like to change my behaviour and spend more time with the people around me.”
“I'd like to learn to use social media in moderation. My goal is to enjoy the benefits of the internet without becoming dependent on my phone.”
What we learn
- Students do not want to give up their phones; they want balance. Every wish for change is framed as limiting, moderating or managing, not quitting.
- Excessive time online is linked to sadness and lower self-confidence; the change students want is to spend more of that time with the people around them.
- A clear, positive goal helps: enjoying the benefits of the internet without becoming dependent on it is easier to work towards than a vague rule.
04Student testimonies
How your digital life affects your emotions, your relationships or your daily routine
Digital technology influences our emotions, our relationships with others and the way we organise our days. The students describe the positive effects, but also the difficulties they encounter in their connected lives.
“My digital life is part of my everyday life. Thanks to the internet, I can easily talk to my family and friends, even when they are far away. It lets me keep important bonds with the people I love.”
“My phone lets me stay in touch with the people close to me, and that's something very important to me. But sometimes, when everything is going wrong, I spend a lot of time alone in front of my screen. That can make me sad and give me the feeling that I'm drifting away from others.”
“Digital life takes up a big part of my daily life. I use social media, I play video games and I communicate with my friends through the internet. But I also notice that when I spend too much time on my phone, I'm more tired and I sleep less well.”
“I use my phone for a large part of the day. It helps me communicate with my friends and entertain myself. Still, I know it's important to keep an eye on my screen time to protect my health and wellbeing.”
“I think digital life has become very important in our society. It lets me study, look for information and stay in touch with my family. It's a precious tool, as long as you know how to use it in a balanced way.”
What we learn
- For these students, many of whom have family far away, the phone is above all a way to keep important bonds alive. This is a real benefit that any advice on screen time has to respect.
- The same screen can isolate: when things go badly, retreating alone into the phone deepens sadness and the feeling of drifting away from others. Difficult moments are when a screen break matters most.
- The physical effects are concrete and noticed: more screen time means more tiredness and poorer sleep. Looking after screen time is a matter of health and wellbeing, not only of discipline.
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