Toyoake municipal government in Aichi proposes a guideline limiting smartphone use outside work and study to two hours per day for about 69,000 residents. The guideline would be non-binding and carry no penalties, intended to encourage better management of screen time. Non-leisure activities such as instructional videos while cooking or exercising, online learning, and e-sports practice would be exempt. The plan suggests primary students stop device use by 21:00 and older students and adults by 22:00. Concerns include students skipping school and adults losing sleep or family time. Over 120 residents responded to consultations, with roughly 80% opposed; lawmakers will vote in October.
"The two hour limit... is merely a guideline... to encourage citizens," Toyoake Mayor Masafumi Koki said in a statement.
"This does not mean the city will limit its residents' rights or impose duties," he said, "Rather, I hope this serves as an opportunity for each family to think about and discuss the time spent on smartphones as well as the time of day the devices are used."
"useful and indispensable in daily life"
Collection
[
|
...
]