
The city in Japan asks residents to drastically reduce the use of smartphones in an effort to solve growing concerns about online addiction, poor sleep and declining mental health.
Toyoake officials, which are located in Aichi Prefecture, suggested that people, children and adults restrict everyday time on the screen for just two hours. The proposal of measures described as the first of its kind in Japan to focus on the whole community is currently discussed by the Municipal Assembly and in October could enter into force in October if approved, Watchman reported.
What does the proposal say
According to the instructions, children aged 6 to 12 are asked to avoid smartphones and tablets after 21:00, while teenagers and adults are asked to turn off by 22:00. Although the rules would not be bound, the idea is to promote healthier digital habits and reduce the problems associated with excessive use, including truancy between children and deprivation of sleep in adults.
“We want to prevent excessive use of equipment from causing physical and mental health problems, including sleep problems,” said Mayor Toyoake Masafumi Koki. He added that smartphones are “necessary in everyday life”, but hoped that the proposal would evoke family discussions on how and when the devices would be used.
The inhabitants are pushing back
This initiative caused a sharp reaction of 69,000 inhabitants of Toyoake. According to reports, the city received more than 120 AE -mail phone calls, about 80% of them critical.
Many have rejected this idea on social media as unrealistic. “Two hours are not enough to read a book or watch a movie on my phone,” one user wrote. Another added: “The intention is good, but that’s not practical.”
Wider context
The Toyoake Plan reflects in Japan growing concerns about the impact of time on the screen on children and families. In 2020, another region introduced a similar non -binding regulation that limited children to one hour of games on school days and 90 minutes during the holidays.
According to a government survey published at the beginning of this year, young people in Japan spend more than five hours online every day, a trend that claims that officials contribute to behavior problems, sleep problems and shortening the family time.
(Tagstotranslate) toyoake