On Tuesday, November 10th, children enrolled in the after-school program at Anatole-France elementary school, along with their parents, discovered the Box Hô’Tél. This project, which won a €5,000 grant from the 2024 participatory budget, was proposed by Alexandre Peres and developed with the technical support of the municipality. The disconnection box allows families to put away their phones and find ideas for games to play together.
The presentation of the Box Hô’Tél, which also marked the beginning of its distribution to families, brought together children, their parents, the after-school program team, the school district inspector from Montpellier, representatives of parent associations, municipal service agents, the project initiator Alexandre Peres, as well as Marie-Françoise De Mori, deputy mayor for education and children's rights, and Sophie Colot, municipal councilor for participatory democracy and citizenship.
Produced in 300 copies, the Box Hô’Tél will be distributed free of charge in the schools of Frontignan la Peyrade by the city's education, childhood, and Info Jeunes services. It offers a concrete alternative to screens to promote family sharing time. The box includes instructions, a sample 'benevolent contract' to define usage times at home, and a game called Fronti’up, designed to accompany the device.
Aïcha, a mother attending the presentation, tested the device she received during Parental Week. She shared: 'I've adopted this Box Hô’Tél and I'm keeping it! Every day at 7 PM, my 7-year-old daughter comes with the box to play as a family. It's hard for her teenage brothers to put down their phones, and we realized it was difficult for us parents too. From the first few days of using the box, we've shared moments together that we hadn't shared in a long time. For it to work, it's important that everyone plays along, adults and children alike.'
Sophie Colot, the municipal councilor, recalled the project's genesis, initially titled 'Unplug and Play.' She emphasized that this idea contest allows for the implementation of initiatives for the collective good, particularly for children. The concept of the Box Hô’Tél, championed by Alexandre Peres, aims to foster family connection by freeing up screen time. The project was realized with the support of municipal services, notably for the box's design and the creation of guidance documents and the Fronti’up game.
Marie-Françoise De Mori, the deputy mayor, highlighted the importance of guiding families towards screen alternatives without guilt. 'This project is close to our hearts to raise parents' and children's awareness about screen overexposure by providing them with tools,' she stated. The Box Hô’Tél offers an interesting alternative by allowing the whole family to deposit their phones to spend time together, including a guide and tips for having fun without phones. 300 boxes will be distributed among after-school programs, education, and childhood services, and offered to families wishing to try the device. A referent will be responsible for follow-up and guiding families in its use. We are keen to get feedback.'
Alexandre Peres, the project initiator, explained his approach to the 'global challenge' of screen addiction. He aimed not to make families feel guilty, viewing it as a collective challenge. The idea of a 'phone hotel' emerged from seeking an object to address this issue, offering a charging station and storage space. Once closed, the Box Hô’Tél also reduces the temptation of on-screen notifications. The game Fronti’up, linked to the local territory, complements the device. He thanked the city for its support and its choice to distribute through schools, calling the presentation the 'culmination of two years of reflection and design.'
The distribution of the Box Hô’Tél began on Thursday, November 12th, in schools, which will act as relays for families wishing to test the device. Copies will also be available through the city's childhood, education, and Info Jeunes services.
