EP 11: Smartphones and Young People

In an effort to improve learning and student health, we've implemented the Yondr system to manage cell phone usage on campus for grades 6-11. This decision, influenced by legal changes and educational research, has received both support and skepticism from parents. However, feedback from other schools indicates positive outcomes after the initial adjustment period. Guest is Djamel Agaoua, a BFIS parent and veteran tech industry insider. Jamel, a French national and graduate of Santrale Supérlec, has held key roles in various tech startups and was the CEO of Rakuten Viber. During his tenure, he successfully grew Viber's global user base and introduced innovative features. Jamel is also involved in 'Tech for Good' projects and serves as president of BLOOM, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation. Additionally, he holds board positions at BodyGuard AI, which protects online communities from toxic content, and Brut, a global media company known for short-form video content.