Japanese city passes two-hours-a-day smartphone rule

""The primary purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that all citizens receive adequate sleep," states a Council information page, which explains that many Japanese people ignore Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare recommendations to spend six to eight hours a day dozing. An accompanying FAQ [PDF] explains that Council passed the ordinance because students who return to school after summer vacations sometimes need a nudge the re-establish an appropriate daily regime."

"The ordinance also points out "Excessive phone users and their families are facing difficulties in their daily and social lives," and suggests the two-hours-a-day guidance might help. Council's documents point out that smartphones have myriad uses beyond recreation, and that the ordinance should not be taken as a suggestion to reduce overall use of the devices. The town's government plans to survey residents about the ordinance, and the FAQ also mentions it wants to tackle other digital menaces, among them harmful effects of using smartphones while walking."

Toyoake city council passed an ordinance promoting the proper use of smartphones that symbolically limits recreational smartphone use to two hours per day. The ordinance aims to ensure all citizens receive adequate sleep and cites Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare guidance recommending six to eight hours of sleep. An accompanying FAQ says students returning to school after summer vacation may need a nudge to re-establish appropriate daily routines. The ordinance warns excessive phone use harms daily and social life, while noting smartphones have many essential non-recreational uses. The city will survey residents and target other digital harms, including smartphone use while walking.

Read at Theregister