France’s other schools problem – the teens violently smashing up their old primaries: ‘They think it’s not worthy of respect – so they trash it’
In France, a growing number of teenagers are damaging former primary school buildings, breaking furniture, destroying equipment and igniting fires. Officials note that such vandalism is not new and has intensified amid broader social tensions. Researchers suggest factors such as economic hardship, influence from social media, and lack of engagement may be driving the behaviour.