I recently watched my 15-year-old nephew trying to do his summer homework. On his desk: a math textbook, a workbook... and his smartphone, which vibrated every 30 seconds. In one hour, he checked his phone 23 times (yes, I counted). The result? A math exercise that should have taken 15 minutes took 45.
Does this scene sound familiar? You're not alone. As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, as our teenagers must complete their summer homework or prepare to return to school, the issue of concentration in the face of digital distractions becomes crucial.
Summary:
- Why can't our teenagers concentrate anymore?
- Warning Signs: Is Your Teen “Overly Distracted”?
- Practical solutions for back to school
-
As Back to School Approaches: Prepare a Personalized Action Plan
Why can't our teenagers concentrate anymore?
The Teenage Brain and Notifications
The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to distractions. The developing prefrontal cortex, responsible for attention and impulse control, isn't yet fully mature. Add to that a smartphone that's constantly emitting sounds and vibrations, and you have the perfect recipe for distraction.
According to a [study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions ]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20445911.2023.2195031 , the mere presence of a smartphone nearby significantly reduces available cognitive capacity, even when the device is turned off. Researchers found that participants whose phones were in another room performed better on cognitive tests than those whose phones were on their desk or in their pocket.
Marie Dubois, a neuropsychologist specializing in adolescent development, explains: " Each notification triggers a release of dopamine, creating a reward circuit similar to that activated by food or certain addictive substances. The adolescent literally becomes 'addicted' to checking his phone. "
This phenomenon is also detailed in our article on [the consequences of ultra connection] ( https://thephone.fr/blogs/ados-et-numerique/les-consequences-de-l-ultra-connexion )
The illusion of multitasking
" I study better with my phone; I can look up information at the same time! " How many times have you heard this phrase? Unfortunately, it's a persistent myth.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Lachaux, research director at INSERM and author of "Les petites bulles de l'attention", [states in his work]: https://www.inserm.fr/actualite/secrets-cerveau-pour-rester-concentre / ) that the human brain does not actually do several things at once. It quickly switches from one task to another, which leads to a loss of efficiency and mental energy.
People who think they're good at multitasking are actually the worst multitaskers. Every time a teenager interrupts their homework to check a message, it takes their brain between 15 and 25 minutes to regain optimal focus.
These results echo our [exclusive study on the impact of phones without internet on the concentration of middle school students]( https://thephone.fr/blogs/ados-et-numerique/etude-exclusive-impact-des-telephones-sans-internet-sur-la-concentration-des-collegiens ), which revealed a significant improvement in attentional abilities among students using phones without internet access.
Warning signs: Is your teenager "overly distracted"?
Before going back to school, take the time to observe if your teenager shows these signs of hyperdistractibility:
- He can't study for more than 10 minutes without checking his phone
- His homework sessions drag on without any concrete results.
- He seems anxious when his phone is not within reach
- His grades have dropped while his time spent "studying" remains significant
- He claims to be able to study efficiently while exchanging messages
I experienced this situation with my daughter last year. She spent three hours on her homework every night, but her results weren't keeping up. In reality, those three hours were fragmented by hundreds of digital interruptions.
Practical solutions for back to school
1. Create a suitable study environment
The physical environment plays a key role in our ability to concentrate. Here's how to optimize it before the start of the school year:
The ideal workspace:
- An area dedicated solely to studies (not the bed!)
- Good light, preferably natural
- Comfortable temperature (19-21°C)
- Minimal background noise or white noise if needed
- Important element: a box or drawer to place the smartphone in
According to the [French Academy of Sciences]( https://www.academie-sciences.fr/pdf/rapport/avis0113.pdf ), the mere visual presence of a smartphone is enough to diminish cognitive abilities. It is therefore better to keep it completely out of sight.
2. Establish a “digital contract” before classes resume
Rather than imposing arbitrary rules, involve your teen in creating a family digital contract. This is the perfect time, just before the start of the school year, to establish new habits.
Our family contract includes these elements that you could adapt:
- Phone-free time slots (e.g., 5-7pm for homework)
- Place to "store" the phone during homework (a box in the entrance)
- Scheduled break system (15 minutes of work = 3 minutes of phone time)
- Consequences for non-compliance and rewards for achieving goals
Thomas, father of two teenagers and reader of our blog, testifies: "At first, my children protested against this contract. But after three weeks, they themselves admitted that they were working more efficiently. The most surprising thing? They gained free time!"
3. Develop long-term attention skills
Beyond quick-fix techniques, it's essential to help teens build what some call their "attention muscles" over time. This goes far beyond simply being able to focus on an assignment: it's about establishing habits that gradually make attention more stable, even in an environment full of distractions.
Mindfulness meditation
Stopping for a few minutes each day to pay attention to your breathing, your sensations, or how your thoughts come and go isn't just a fad. From adolescence onward, this practice, known as "mindfulness," shows concrete effects: less stress, more serenity, and above all, a new ability to remain present in the task at hand. Several studies, conducted in Geneva and San Diego in particular, reveal that these regular exercises, even short ones, sharpen concentration and strengthen working memory. Adolescents report feeling calmer before exams, less overwhelmed by the fear of tests, and above all, able to return to their homework more quickly after a distraction.
Mindfulness is also beneficial for young people: https://pulsations.hug.ch/article/la-pleine-conscience-benefique-aussi-pour-les-jeunes#gsc.tab=0
Basically, practicing five minutes of meditation isn't a miracle: it's like strengthening your attention, day after day, as simply as you train for a sport.
Regular physical activity
Walking, running, cycling, swimming... A little physical exercise, even moderate, doesn't just benefit the body. Several studies show that moving also nourishes the brain. During a workout, blood flow increases, oxygenation of neurons improves, and the brain produces key proteins for memory. The effect is quickly visible: after a cardio-type activity, the ability to concentrate increases, and this heightened alertness lasts for up to two hours after the effort.
Sport also boosts mental flexibility and the ability to organize oneself… As if the newly trained brain were better at managing priorities and solidifying memories. Not to mention its impact on stress and self-confidence.
Physical activity boosts your brain: https://pourunefranceenforme.fr/bien-dans-son-corps-bien-dans-sa-tete-lactivite-physique-booste-votre-cerveau/
Reading on paper
In a world saturated with screens, reading a physical book offers a unique challenge and reward for attention: it's no longer just about ingesting information, but also about retaining it, understanding it deeply. Recent studies show that reading on paper activates certain areas of the brain linked to concentration and memorization: contact with the paper, following the pages, the absence of notifications, all of this helps to anchor information.
On a screen, on the other hand, the brain is tempted to skim, to quickly move from one paragraph to another without any real immersion. Reading on paper offers the mind a space free of distractions, a bit like a gym dedicated to attention, where each page turned strengthens the ability to stay focused.
Cultivating mindfulness, physical activity, and reading on paper thus constitute a veritable toolbox for training adolescents' attention over time. Each of these practices is accessible, simple to implement, and can gradually transform the relationship that young people—and their families—have with today's hyper-connected world.
Concentration: easier on paper than on a tablet!: https://www.alternativesante.fr/cerveau/concentration-plus-facile-sur-le-texte-papier-plutot-que-sur-tablette
Testimonial: How we transformed Lucas's academic results
Lucas, 14, spent four hours a day on his homework last year, with mediocre results. His mother, Sandrine, says:
" Lucas was constantly distracted by his phone. We implemented a simple system: during homework, his smartphone stays in the kitchen, in a box. He can only check it during scheduled 5-minute breaks every 30 minutes of actual work.
At first, it was difficult. He checked the time every two minutes, got restless, found excuses to go to the kitchen... But after two weeks, we noticed a change. His homework was completed in half the time, and his overall average went from 11 to 14.5 in one term.
The most surprising thing? He told us he felt less stressed. As if being constantly connected generated an anxiety he didn't even notice.
As the new school year approaches: prepare a personalized action plan
The start of the 2025 school year is fast approaching. It's the perfect time to establish new habits. Here's a 5-step action plan you can adapt to your family's situation:
Week -2 before the start of the school year :
Discuss concentration challenges openly with your teen. Avoid an accusatory tone and present it as a problem to be solved together.
Week -1 :
Create a "digital contract" together and design the ideal workspace. Test different time management apps.
D-Day (return) :
Establish an after-school routine that includes decompression time (no screens), a snack, and then homework in the optimized environment.
Week +1 :
Take stock with your teen. What's working? What needs to be adjusted? Be flexible.
Month +1 :
Celebrate progress, even small ones. Positive recognition reinforces good habits.
Conclusion: beyond simple restriction
For a long time, I thought the solution was simply to confiscate my children's phones during homework time. But I've come to realize that this approach doesn't help them develop self-discipline.
The goal isn't to demonize technology, but to teach our teens to master it rather than be mastered by it. This skill will serve them well beyond their school years, in a professional world where digital distractions are omnipresent.
As my daughter once told me after adopting these methods: "It's weird, but I feel like I have more time now that I'm spending less time on my phone."
As we head back to school in 2025, let's give our teenagers the tools to regain control of their attention. This may be the most valuable gift we can offer them for their future success.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) Syndrome in Teenagers: Understanding and Taking Action