A Summer Connecting with Young People Through Digital Cafés

This summer, Printemps numérique hit the road to meet young people in their own communities. At L’Ancre des jeunes, the Centre de Référence Des Élèves Issus de l’Immigration (CREII), and La Zone in Blainville, three Digital Cafés, including IA & Toi workshops, provided an opportunity to explore new technologies in a hands-on, fun, and accessible way.

But beyond discovery, the main goal was to give young people a chance to have their voices heard: Which technologies interest them? How do they use them in their daily lives? What questions do they raise? And what role could they play in their future?

The Digital Cafés offer experiential activities that serve as a starting point for discussion, helping young people develop their curiosity and critical thinking while sharing their own perspectives on the digital world.

Doxy and Digital Issues at La Zone

The summer season wrapped up on August 28 with a Digital Café at La Zone in Blainville, as part of the Patio Party.

Organized by the City of Blainville’s recreation department, these summer evenings bring together young people aged 11 to 17 in a welcoming and safe environment that reflects who they are. This event marked the third collaboration between Printemps numérique and La Zone, providing an opportunity to connect directly with young people in the Laurentians and make their perspectives an integral part of the conversation around digital technology.

For the occasion, a tech zone was set up on La Zone’s terrace.

Tech & You: Giving Teens a Voice

The Tech & You wheel took the conversation a step further by giving young people the opportunity to share their habits, interests, and concerns about the digital issues that directly affect them.

Artificial intelligence, social media, disinformation, algorithms, and emerging technologies: teens were invited to test their knowledge, take a position, and above all, share their perspectives.

Thoughtful and Engaged Young People

The discussions revealed a range of diverse and nuanced opinions. When it comes to banning cell phones at school, many young people generally support the measure while still wanting access at certain times, particularly to contact their parents or during lunch.

The proposal to require parental consent for social media registration before the age of 14 also received strong support, mainly for safety reasons.

When it comes to using AI for schoolwork, opinions are more divided. Some are concerned about cheating and want to keep “using their brains,” while others see AI as a tool that can support learning and creativity.

Finally, when asked whether they would like to choose what appears in their feeds, several young people said they were satisfied with TikTok or YouTube recommendations. However, how algorithms work and their limitations seem to be less well understood, highlighting the importance of continuing to raise awareness and encourage more conscious and informed digital use.

Meet Doxy, the Robot Dog

It was hard to miss Doxy! The robot dog sparked the curiosity of the young participants, who had the opportunity to interact with it and discover some of the possibilities of robotics and artificial intelligence firsthand.

This fun experience offers an accessible way to explore technologies that can sometimes seem complex, while opening the door to an essential question: How far could these technologies take us?

What If the Next Digital Café Took Place in Your Community?

As the new school year begins, schools, libraries, youth organizations, and educational settings can host a Digital Café.

Invite Printemps numérique to your community and make room for curiosity, conversation, and reflection on the digital world.

Book a Digital Cafe

Digital Cafés and IA & Toi are initiatives of Printemps numérique. Digital Cafés are delivered as part of the Youth QC 2030 program, presented by Hydro-Québec and supported by the Secrétariat à la jeunesse du Québec.