In last week’s class discussion, it was interesting to hear my classmates’ experiences with smartphone and other digital device restrictions in their early childhoods.
Since we talked about how close we are to digital technologies and how unconscious we are of using them, why don’t we have any official restrictions to prevent them?
Taking these issues into account, one of the city councils in Japan have proposed a regulation for encouraging citizens to minimize their screen time on digital devices to 2 hours per day. It is believed to be the first of any municipalities to come up with this regulation. Although no penalties will be imposed, it aims to prevent excessive use of smartphones, and also calling for younger children in elementary schools to limit the use to 9 p.m, and others above to 10 p.m. The regulation will be enforced from the start of October. (Very hot topic!!!)
When I first heard about this regulation taken into account as an official statement by the municipality, I thought it would end as a trendy debate among the lawmakers. However, it was thought-provoking to me when the proposal was actually raised, then enacted by a majority vote in the council. It was surprising in a way that the officials would interfere in the use of smartphones, which in other words are just personal business of individuals. In fact, many of the citizens living in the area were opposed with passing the ordinace, since it may be violating the personal freedom. According to the article published by BBC, some locals have called and emailed the city authorities not satisified about the proposed regulation. It may seem silly especially because it is about personal usage. However, I think the most important part to focus for this topic is that this movement was made not by the local organizations, but by the authorities. Many argue that there should be no penalties and that others should not interfere with personal usage purposes. However, even a minimal set of guidelines can serve as an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their own usage purposes. In fact, the mayor of the city also emphasizes that the regulations is ought to be a guideline for citizens to think about and discuss the time spent on devices.
These movements on restricting the use of smartphones, especially for minors, have been a growing trend. Australia, New Zealand, southern part of Mississipi have each proposed legislations. For example, have prohibited SNS use by those under 16, which is more strict than what the city in Japan proposed.
Many people discuss today that it has become more independent, and interaction between people have become less ensured. Family gatherings, casual conversations with friends, the natural sounds of the environment we live in—as people inhabiting this planet, I believe we should cherish our connection with nature.
Digital technologies are of course useful and are indispensable; it has turned into a world where we cannot live without it. We just have to keep adjusting ourselves to live with it, while cherishing our own natural memories gained from the real environment.
In a world where everyone is becoming increasingly digitally dependent, I think it’s a very positive sign that such a move has come from the authorities. I hope this phenomenon sparks discussion and awareness among as many people as possible about how dangerous it could be for our future lives. I also hope similar issues will be raised in other city councils.
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