Two Hours of Smartphones Use - Ordinance Passed in Japan's City

We are living in an age of distraction, cell phone has become an artificial organ of our biological body. We look at's screen before sleeping and wake up seeing its screen. Natural interactions between humans faded amidst the digital world. Toyoaka is a place in Japan, has been proposed a new guideline that asks its residents to limit smartphone use to kill time to two hours per day. This guideline aims to protect its people from sleep disruption, digital addiction and social isolation. This is the article that delves into the measures, how it works and why it's sparking debate.


The Toyoake municipal assembly on 22 September passed an ordinance by a majority vote targeting not only children but all citizens to limit their smartphone use to not more than 2 hours per day outside work or study. The ordinance mentioned that for elementary school students the timing of use would be 9 PM and for older children or adults, who are a little busy by 10 PM. Know that this measure is only advisory, it carries no penalties.


Due to the rapid rise of digitalisation, it has become challenging for experts to navigate the consequences of too much screen time. In this city in Japan, experts identify that due to excessive uses of screen time among children and adults, there is a rise in sleep problems, truancy and social disconnection. The mayor of the city said, "were missing school becasue they refused to leave home without their phone." According to a survey, Japanese youth spend only five hours online on weekends. Though the city does not enforce penalties yet, the city is aiming to spark a discussion among families regarding screen habits.

After the ordinance passed, the city fielded about 320 opinions via phone and emails calling the guideline unrealistic and an attempt at intrusion on personal freedom. Though the ordinance was passed with 12 out of 19 votes in favour. And as there are no penalties or monitoring yet, the critics question whether it will have a real impact or just a stund to smoke the mirror.

Toyoake's two hour guideline is a strong experiment for the first time to manage digital habit. For a healther lifestyle though it targeted all residents, forcing them to rethink about smartphone use. Let's see whether it will proves effective or not but the move comes with growing global convern about screen time and its impact on common citizens lives.

Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!