スマホ等の使用しよう 仕事しごと 勉強べんきょう 家事かじ以外いがいは1日いちにち2時間にじかんまで 条例じょうれい案あん可決かけつ

A proposed ordinance encouraging people to limit the use of smartphones and similar devices to within two hours a day, except for work, study, or housework, was put to a vote at the Toyoake City Council in Aichi Prefecture on the 22nd, and was passed and enacted by a majority vote.

According to the city, this is the first ordinance in the country to set guidelines for smartphone and other device usage times for all citizens, and it will go into effect on October 1st.

Toyoyake City, while recognizing that smartphones and similar devices are essential for daily life, has submitted a draft ordinance to the city council encouraging residents to limit the use of smartphones, tablets, and game consoles to around two hours a day outside of work, study, and household chores. This is due to concerns that prolonged use can affect not only health, such as causing lack of sleep, but also the home environment by reducing family conversations, which may hinder the healthy development of children.

Regarding this ordinance bill, a vote was held at the city council plenary session on the afternoon of the 22nd, and 12 out of the 19 council members, excluding the chairperson, voted in favor, so the bill was passed and enacted by a majority.

The ordinance applies to all citizens and children under the age of 18 who attend schools in the city. For childrens use, the suggested time limits are: until 9 p.m. for elementary school students and younger, and until 10 p.m. for junior high school students and older. Families are encouraged to establish their own rules.

There is no enforceability or penalties in the ordinance.

At the city council, an additional resolution was also passed, requesting that it be made clear that the provision of within two hours per day in the ordinance is only a guideline and that diversity in lifestyles and family environments should be respected; that information should be provided carefully and in an easy-to-understand manner so as not to cause misunderstandings among citizens; and that the effectiveness and citizens responses should be regularly reviewed, and the ordinance revised as necessary.

According to the city, this is the first ordinance in the country to set guidelines for smartphone and other device usage times for all citizens, and it will go into effect on October 1st.

Debate in Toyoake City Council: Before the vote at the city council plenary session, a debate was held regarding the proposed ordinance that sets guidelines for smartphone usage time.

The opinion of a supporting lawmaker: I heard from a junior high school girl that she cant let go of her smartphone even when taking a bath because she has to reply to messages in her LINE group within 30 minutes.

I hope that this ordinance will help prevent addiction and provide an opportunity for families to think about these issues together. The ordinance is not saying You must do this, but rather, its a message that There is also this way of thinking, and its a gentle suggestion for citizens to reconsider their daily lives and child-rearing. It would be good if families could use the ordinance as a basis when making their own rules. Opinions from opposing lawmakers: In the first place, the amount of time spent using smartphones should be decided as part of family discipline. For children who dont have a place at school or at home, isnt it possible that their smartphone is their only refuge?

If the amount of time they can use it is restricted, wont that lead to them losing their place to belong? If this is going to be made into an ordinance, there needs to be solid scientific evidence, but there is no data proving a connection between smartphone usage time and reduced sleep time.