Digital iron fist! European giants take smartphones away from their youngsters
PSG have decided to fight for the attention of their academy stars in a radical way.
Details: Paris Saint-Germain are launching Operation Detox, aimed at reducing phone usage and screen time for academy players. Smartphones are now prohibited for players aged 11 to 15, with the exception of a 60-minute evening slot.
The initiative became part of the back-to-school programme at the PSG campus, where around 150 young footballers are based. The club wants to protect the youngsters' concentration and mental health, encouraging more mindful use of technology. The Parisians' move echoes a nationwide trend: France is simultaneously testing a ban on mobile phones for schoolchildren under 15 in around 200 secondary schools.
The French champions hope that the digital detox will help academy graduates focus on football and their studies. It's worth noting that similar restrictions are increasingly discussed at the government level across Europe: in France, the education ministry believes that phones harm the ability to concentrate and the acquisition of knowledge.
Reminder: A double in 10 minutes! Ferran Torres saves PSG from defeat in debut match.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
