“It awakens something in them”: when Orange raises awareness among rugby schools about the dangers of digital technology

Jerseys hanging on the wall, cleats vibrating on the ground and a friendly atmosphere, welcome to the ACBB Rugby Clubhouse in Boulogne. Behind the counter, Fanny Maret, a manager for several years within the training, welcomes with a smile. But curiously, it is not for the sporting side that we were invited to the west of the capital.

Last Wednesday, February 12, a sacred training day for rugby schools, Orange came to raise awareness among about forty young people from the club about the potential dangers of digital technology. "I've been supervising for a few years now and I see all the excesses on social networks," explains Fanny, before adding: "It ranges from teasing to harassment. Children have a cell phone at an increasingly early age, are often connected and do not always realize the impact of their actions on the internet. I believe that in our educational role, it is important to prevent excesses and excesses."

Orange is a committed operator, we feel responsible. These young people need to know something other than the opinion of their parents, who sometimes forget to point out the dangers.

Aurélie Urtado, press officer

Orange is using the workshop of the day, called "Digital Magicians", to promote "Safer Internet Day", an annual day of awareness of internet usage, which took place a day before, on February 11. For the occasion, a great delegation from the management of the Île-de-France group made the trip. Aurélie Urtado, press officer, Séverine Guillemet, CSR manager, and several volunteer employees, called "ambassadors" , responsible for hosting the afternoon. Objective: prevention and awareness, by supporting the youngest from their first contact with a screen. Telephone, cyberbullying, social networks, the concept of algorithms, nothing is left out.

The action, which has been taking place for several years, targets the M12 category of the rugby school, i.e. children aged 10 to 12. "We are there to explain to them what the dangers are, we give them little recommendations and we also talk about cyberbullying, whether on the phone or on video games. Orange is a committed operator, we feel responsible. These young people need to know something other than the opinion of their parents, who sometimes forget to clarify the dangers," assures Aurélie Urtado.

Before starting the exercise, Séverine first speaks in a good mood, in front of the little rugby players, somewhat distracted but very quickly involved: "I go and get them straight away, I talk to them about subjects they like, video games. It's very fun, in general, the children don't hesitate to express themselves."

Indeed, most of the young people play along and give their feelings on the different topics discussed. And there is reason to be surprised. When the manager asks the following question: "Who has already played GTA (Grand Theft Auto)?" , five hands go up. As a reminder, the famous video game is not recommended for children under 18. We are talking about 10-year-olds here...

"It's crazy," Aurélie whispers to us, somewhat astonished by the situation. Especially since the children seem fully aware of the dangers: "There's blood and violent images, sexual things too," two of them say.

The workshop therefore takes the form of an escape game (multiple puzzle game), bringing together several children and an adult in teams. Three missions and an interactive game that lasts about an hour. During the exercise, the facilitators slip in alerts. We raise awareness about the excessively loud sound of headphones, we learn how to react in the event of cyberbullying, we also give tips: "The ideal is to take a 5 to 10 minute break away from the phone every hour." The children play along, chat and seem to progress while being entertained.

The result is convincing, assures Stéphane, ambassador: "We always have good feedback from educators. Young people are aware of the teasing and mockery." "What I said today are perhaps things they have already heard. I don't have the role of parents, I am neutral, of course the children listen a little more," explains Séverine, who adds: "At the end of each workshop, we leave a diploma, with all the good advice we were able to give. We hope that they read it once on their own and once with their parents. We also mention 3018, a reporting number for young victims of harassment, which receives between 500 and 700 calls per day. Having a number identified by parents and children is perfect."

After an enriching workshop, the young people return to training in joy and good humor, with their diplomas in hand. "They are already alert, some even know the dangers linked to social media algorithms, it awakens something in them, it's really an interesting exercise," says Mathieu, an intern at Orange.

The company is also increasing its interventions in the Île-de-France region. "The agenda is full, it's incredible" . A great success that will inevitably lead other sports associations to turn to this type of action, which is now necessary for the new generation. And as proof, "The National Rugby League has more and more requests" , Fanny confirms to us...