Connectés

Connectés is a French term that functions as both an adjective and a noun. It commonly denotes people who are regularly connected to digital networks and services, and in some contexts it can refer to devices described as connected. In everyday language and in academic or media discourse, the term often points to a social group defined by high levels of online activity and mobile connectivity.

Origin and usage guide the term to the French verb connecter and its past participle connecté. Since the late 20th century, connectés has been used to describe a society or demographic characterized by pervasive digital access, smartphones, and constant information streams. In sociology and media studies, the concept is linked to patterns of information consumption, online interaction, and the emergence of an always-on culture.

Societal implications are frequently discussed in relation to connectés, including digital literacy, privacy, attention economy, and the digital divide between highly connected populations and less-connected groups. Researchers explore how constant connectivity shapes social relationships, work, and civic life, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of hyperconnectivity.

In technology contexts, connectés can also refer to connected devices, though the more precise term for physical objects is objets connectés or Internet of Things. When referring to people, connectés emphasizes human behavior and social patterns rather than device specifications.

See also: hyperconnectivity; digital privacy; Internet of Things; digital inclusion.