The social experiment, Cobayes: les écrans, airs March 2 on Télé-Québec!

Go behind the scenes of a social experiment in which three households volunteered to take back control of their screens in Picbois Productions’ new film, Cobayes: les écrans! Directed by Catherine Proulx, the documentary offers a non-judgmental, guilt-free look at digital well-being.

Rooted in everyday life that everyone can relate to, the experiment follows two families and a single adult for whom screens play a central role in their daily lives. In front of us, they are ready to question their relationship with these technologies and accept the colossal challenge of reducing their screen time.

“When I needed a break, I was the one who started giving my phone to my daughter. We kind of lost control… I feel really overwhelmed, but also super guilty, because ultimately, we’re the ones who put a screen in her hands.” – Jacinthe, protagonist

The documentary provides insight into family discussions, tensions, moments of vulnerability, but also the gradual realization and transformation that takes place. Over the course of the four-month experiment, participants are subjected to a series of challenges designed by a team of experts (a psychologist, occupational therapist, and doctoral student in communication) who accompany them throughout the process.

We are all, young and old alike, addicted to screens.

📺 Cobayes: les écrans, a documentary to watch alone or with your family, airs on Télé-Québec on March 2 at 8 p.m. Available now on the Télé-Québec web platform.

💪 You too can challenge yourself and participate in Cobayes: l’expérience by signing up for the newsletter. Simple and human, it was designed to help you find balance at your own pace, without cutting everything off.