Last Wednesday, the fields of ASPTT Toulouse, football section of Colomiers, exchanged their competition attire to become a digital awareness laboratory. The club hosted the 3rd stage of the #ForGoodConnections campaign, led by Orange to encourage young people to adopt more responsible digital practices. Under a spring sun, nearly 160 children aged 10-14 from four local clubs — ASPTT Toulouse, AS Toulouse Lardenne, FC Quint-Fonsegrives, and FC Beauzelle — took part in a day combining sports, education, and dialogue. The young soccer players participated in interactive workshops on topics that directly affect them: cyberbullying and screen time management. The exercises on the field added a concrete dimension. “Football is an educational tool that we bring to life every day.”
—
Immersive Workshop on Cyberbullying
“These workshops provide an innovative and fitting complement,” emphasized Michael Hadjadj, vice president of the Colomiers club. The same observation was made by Paul Bonnabau, club secretary: “Bullying can touch anyone. This type of event provides keys to addressing these sometimes difficult topics.” A highlight was the immersive workshop on cyberbullying, where participants, divided into groups — internet users, bullies, and bystanders — experienced different situations before sharing their feelings, promoting awareness. “We understand better by experiencing it. It shows that we need to speak up when something is wrong,” said Denzel, 14. Another issue addressed was hyperconnectivity. Through playful activities, the youths discovered the effects of excessive screen use, including isolation, sleep disturbances, and decreased physical activity. In a festive and educational atmosphere, the day achieved its goals. “This event is essential to help young people embrace good digital practices,” reminded Nicolas Brochot, Orange’s regional delegate in Occitanie. A successful initiative that shows how a football field can also become a space for learning to create informed digital citizens.
—
“Liberating the Speak”: Miel Abitbol, Engaged with Youth
In Occitanie, by 2025, nearly 20,000 children and adolescents have already participated in the #ForGoodConnections campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about digital practices, including 8,000 in Haute-Garonne. Overall, more than 120,000 young people across the region have been impacted by this initiative by Orange, highlighting a growing need for guidance in facing digital usage. In Colomiers, the event also appealed to families. Zouaou, whose 9 and 10-year-old children are club members, praised the initiative: “It’s important for them to hear these messages differently. It can facilitate dialogue at home later on.” Aside from workshops, the day included exchanges with committed speakers. Among them, Miel Abitbol, an 18-year-old influencer with over 3 million followers, shared her experience. Committed to mental health issues, she co-founded Lyynk, an app and foundation dedicated to combating youth loneliness. “Participating in this event seemed obvious to me. It promotes values that I share. The format is playful and, most importantly, young people are talking to young people: the message gets across better,” she said. In front of the participants, she stressed a crucial point: freeing one’s voice. “If faced with unhealthy behaviors, it’s important to talk about it. It’s not easy, but staying silent is even harder.” A powerful message, echoed on and off the field, complementing the prevention work undertaken with youth.
Contact for free and anonymous cyberbullying support: 30 18 – www.lyynk.com/
