In 2022, nearly 17% of young people aged 18 to 24 faced major difficulties with online administrative procedures, according to INSEE. Yet, their university enrollment, access to scholarships, or student dining services rely almost exclusively on digital platforms.
Digital illiteracy does not only affect the elderly or isolated individuals. It also manifests in study environments, at the heart of populations known to be connected. Behind the widespread use of digital tools, inequalities in access and skills persist, undermining certain students and complicating their daily lives.
Further reading : Digital tools that transform the student experience
Digital Illiteracy: Understanding a Phenomenon that Affects More People than We Think
The promise of a connected university can quickly turn into disillusionment. Behind this technological veneer, digital exclusion creeps in without warning. Digital illiteracy, digital divide, feelings of relegation: for many students, navigating these platforms is a daily challenge. According to a survey conducted by LMDE, 70% of students report feeling unwell, and 36% have experienced suicidal thoughts. In this already tense context, every bug, every blockage in accessing a service or platform becomes an additional hurdle.
University health services and the psychological support network for students are overwhelmed by increasing demands, unable to respond to all situations. Digital exclusion lurks in the shadows: lost credentials, labyrinthine interfaces, absence of human support. Even platforms reputed to be effective, like MySchool at ESCP, can disorient newcomers, lost amid this administrative and technical machinery.
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To better understand the major difficulties, here are the most common issues:
- Loss of bearings due to the proliferation of tools
- Increased risk of dropout for students in a situation of digital fragility
- Heightened isolation among those struggling to understand how university intranets work
The mental health of students is wavering, not only under the pressure of exams but also due to this digital exclusion that cuts them off from support, rights, and resources. Between two screens, solitude settles in, discreet but persistent.
Concrete Solutions for Making Digital a True Ally of Student Life
In the face of the digital divide and isolation, some refuse to give up. Initiatives are emerging, with the ambition to transform the student intranet into tangible support, far from being just a portal for administrative procedures. A digital (sur)vival kit, designed by students and psychologists, now offers tailored support. Inspired by cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) and positive psychology, it does not replace medical follow-up but provides a reference point, without detours or jargon.
This kit offers personalized pathways, mini-games, interactive activities, and summary sheets to adapt to each situation. It provides help for oneself or to support a struggling friend. The system also immediately directs users to external resources, such as 3114, the national suicide prevention hotline. An online collaborative directory further broadens access: it lists solutions for free psychological support across the country.
Concrete Recommendations from the Field
The advocacy report submitted in June 2022 does not merely state observations: it outlines paths for action. It calls for a national strategy for student mental health, increased resources for university services, the installation of new systems on campuses, and rapid intervention for distress situations. Lucile Regourd (campaign manager), Eléonore Jarrige (psychologist), and Nathalie Roudaut (general delegate) emphasize the need to connect digital tools, prevention, and human presence.
Among the proposed levers, we find:
- Personalized pathways grounded in scientific psychology
- A digital directory to access free help, anywhere in France
- Immediate orientation towards appropriate emergency services
As digital technology shapes student life, the choice remains: let it fracture or make it a support lever. For many, everything hinges on this, behind a screen that can isolate… or support.