Over the past few years, the idea of the “right to disconnect” has been making waves.
It’s a simple yet powerful concept: workers should be able to switch off from emails, calls, and work-related messages once their working day is done. Countries like France, Portugal, and Ireland have turned this idea into law, and it’s reshaping how we think about work-life balance.
But here’s the thing—if adults are getting this much-needed break, what about children? Shouldn’t kids have the right to disconnect from their “work” too, especially when it comes to homework?
The Right to Disconnect: What It’s All About
France got the ball rolling in 2017 with its “right to disconnect” law, which says companies must limit after-hours work communications. Since then, countries like Belgium, Australia, and Portugal have joined the movement, giving workers the legal right to unplug.
The reason for these laws is obvious: burnout. Long hours, constant emails, and no clear boundary between work and home life have left millions of people frazzled. The right to disconnect is about protecting mental health, giving workers the breathing room to relax, recharge, and actually enjoy their lives outside of work.
Sounds fair, right? So why doesn’t this same logic apply to children and young people?
![[Image Description: The image shows a young person with curly hair tied up in a high ponytail, seated at a table. They are writing with a pencil on a sheet of paper, surrounded by other documents and a laptop. The setting appears to be a home or casual indoor environment, with a sofa and some greenery visible in the background. The individual looks focused and engaged in their work.]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_51bcacf60955483993c855f28b3fd283~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Doing%20Homework%20.jpg)
[Image Description: The image shows a young person with curly hair tied up in a high ponytail, seated at a table. They are writing with a pencil on a sheet of paper, surrounded by other documents and a laptop. The setting appears to be a home or casual indoor environment, with a sofa and some greenery visible in the background. The individual looks focused and engaged in their work.]
Homework: Necessary or Just More Stress?
Homework has been around forever. It’s meant to help kids practice what they’ve learned in school and prepare for tests. But if you think about it, it’s not much different from an adult being told to finish work at home after a full day in the office. Kids already spend six or seven hours a day in school—then they’re expected to spend more time on homework.
For some kids, that means sacrificing time to play, relax, or just be a kid. Others end up staying up late, feeling stressed, or dreading school altogether. Sound familiar? It’s a lot like what adults experience when their boss keeps emailing them after hours.
So, the question is: if adults are being told it’s okay to step away from their work after hours, why are we still piling extra work on kids when they get home?
The Case for Homework
Of course, it’s not all bad. Homework has its supporters, and they make some good points.
Teachers and parents often say that homework teaches important skills like responsibility, discipline, and time management. It gives kids a chance to practice what they’ve learned in class, especially for tricky subjects like math or science. And let’s not forget—some kids genuinely enjoy the extra challenge or use homework to get ahead in school.
For students who might not have grasped something fully in class, homework can be a chance to catch up. In theory, it’s a way to reinforce learning.
The Case Against Homework
On the flip side, a lot of people feel homework is outdated and unfair. There’s research showing that too much homework doesn’t really help kids learn, especially younger ones. Countries like Finland, which has one of the best education systems in the world, barely give out homework, and their students are thriving.
Then there’s the issue of inequality. Not every child has the same resources at home. Some might have a quiet space to work and supportive parents, while others might not. For kids without those advantages, homework can feel like a punishment instead of an opportunity.
And let’s be honest—kids are already under enough pressure. They need time to play, socialize, and explore hobbies. Just like adults need downtime after work, kids need space to be themselves, away from school and homework.
![[Image description: The image shows a young boy and an adult woman sitting together at a table. The boy is focused on a laptop, with his mouth slightly open, possibly speaking or reading aloud. The woman, positioned slightly behind him, appears to be guiding or assisting him, with a supportive expression. The table is cluttered with open books, a pencil holder filled with colorful pencils, and some loose papers. The background is plain and uncluttered, highlighting the interaction between the two. The scene suggests a learning or homework setting.]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_470ed68bff934472bd7441956f2212cd~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_558,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Homework.jpeg)
[Image description: The image shows a young boy and an adult woman sitting together at a table. The boy is focused on a laptop, with his mouth slightly open, possibly speaking or reading aloud. The woman, positioned slightly behind him, appears to be guiding or assisting him, with a supportive expression. The table is cluttered with open books, a pencil holder filled with colorful pencils, and some loose papers. The background is plain and uncluttered, highlighting the interaction between the two. The scene suggests a learning or homework setting.]
So, where does this leave us? Should we ban homework completely, or does it still have a place in education?
Maybe the answer lies somewhere in between. Just like companies are starting to find flexible ways to honour the right to disconnect, schools could rethink their approach to homework. What if homework was shorter, more focused, or even optional? What if it only covered things kids truly needed to practice, rather than busy work?
The truth is, both adults and kids need balance. Adults are finally being allowed to step away from their work lives to protect their well-being. Maybe it’s time we gave kids the same rights.
The Bigger Question
In the end, this isn’t just about homework or after-hours emails. It’s about how we value time—our own time, and our children’s. Do we measure success by how much we do, or by how happy and healthy we are?
The debate over homework is, really, a debate about what kind of lives we want to create for the next generation. And while there might not be a clear answer yet, one thing’s for sure: it’s a conversation worth having.
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