Can you imagine how your city would react if the authorities were the ones to determine the amount of time children and teenagers could use their smartphones? Well, this is precisely what has happened in the city of Toyoaki, Aichi Prefecture, in Japan. After a vote of 12 in favor and 7 against, a municipal ordinance was approved that limits smartphone use to two hours outside of work and school. However, as NHK reports, “there is no enforcement or penalty in the ordinance”.
This measure comes to combat digital addiction and preserve children’s health in relation to excessive screen use. In addition to this ordinance, the City Council also recommends that children in elementary school should turn in their phones by 9 PM, while those in junior high school should do so by 10 PM.
Excessive screen use poses a problem for the home environment, affecting sleep deprivation and even children’s growth. Different opinions were quickly voiced. On one hand, there are those who argue that mobile phone use should be determined by each family’s household rules, while others argue that smartphone use is a refuge for many young people.
In light of this new measure, the Mayor of Toyoaki wanted to emphasize in a press conference that it is a guideline, has no penalties, and its goal is for citizens to review their screen exposure habits and how they manage their free time.
Use of smartphones in children and teens
It is undeniable that prolonged use of electronic devices, whether in children, young people, or adults, poses a problem. Currently, it even constitutes an addiction problem, as we are unable to spend a single day disconnected or with limited access to our phones. Whether it is for social media, work, or watching videos, any excuse is good to pick up the phone, but the truth is that it has serious repercussions on our health, and especially on that of our little ones.
Measures in Toyoaki
This reality of digital addiction extends to practically every region of the planet where there is an internet connection. That is why the measure taken by the City Council of Toyoaki, Aichi Prefecture, in Japan, is so striking, as it has taken steps to try to reduce this screen exposure. A municipal ordinance was put to a vote, which was approved by 12 votes in favor and 7 against. With its entry into force on October 1, 2025, all local citizens will have to follow the new rule that proposes a limit of two hours of smartphone use outside of work hours and educational centers.
Do the authorities say when they can use the phone?
The truth is that this measure is just a “guideline,” as explained by the Mayor of Toyoaki, who received some criticism for this proposal. As NHK reports, “The city of Toyoaki says that smartphones are essential for daily life, but prolonged use can affect the home environment, such as causing lack of sleep, and may hinder children’s healthy development.” For this reason, they also recommend that children attending elementary school put their phones away by 9 pm, while those in middle school do so by 10 pm. Again, these are only proposals made by the authorities, as no one is going to check strict compliance.
The first authority to take action
The city’s Mayor was concerned about the excessive and prolonged use of smartphones and wondered if citizens were making ‘optimal’ use of their free time, away from screens. He believed it was a good way for citizens to review their daily and leisure time habits, as well as their sleep habits. He is convinced that if they tried this measure, citizens would see the benefits it provides.
Voices for and against
Of course, there were voters in favor and others against. Opponents argue that the use of smartphones should be determined by “the context of family discipline.” They also claimed that for many young people, using a mobile phone provides an escape from their student life as well as their home. However, voters in favor see this measure as something that can improve the quality of life of citizens. They went so far as to describe it as “a gentle proposal for citizens to reconsider their lives and the upbringing of their children”.