A city in central Japan wants to limit smartphone use to two hours a day for all of its nearly 70,000 residents after a heated debate about smartphone addiction, the BBC reports.
The proposal, which could be the first of its kind in Japan, is currently being discussed by local lawmakers in Toyoake. Mayor Masafumi Koki said the rule, which will apply to time outside of work and school, would not be strictly enforced but rather used to encourage residents to better manage their screen time.
There will be no penalties for breaking the rule, which could come into effect in October if approved. “The two-hour limit is just a guideline… To encourage citizens,” the mayor said. He added that it did not mean the city would restrict residents’ rights or impose any obligations.
Smartphone use for non-recreational activities will not count towards the two-hour time limit.
These would include, for example, reading online or preparing for e-sports competitions. Koki noted that he acknowledges that smartphones are useful in everyday life, but added that there are students who are late for school because they refuse to leave home without their phones. Adults are also sacrificing sleep or time that could be spent with their family in order to continue scrolling through social networks on their phones and tablets.
Most city residents are not thrilled with the proposal, but it also has supporters. The bill stipulates that elementary school students must put their devices away after 9 p.m., while senior students and adults could use them until 10 p.m. Critics have already complained on social media that it is not possible read a book or watch a movie in two hours.
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