Japanese City Proposes Smartphone Usage Limit: Two Hours a Day

Toyoake City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is drafting an ordinance recommending residents limit their smartphone use to two hours daily outside of work and school. This would be Japan's first such municipal regulation, aiming to address concerns about excessive technology use impacting health and family life. The proposed ordinance, effective October 1st, urges children to stop using smartphones by 9 p.m. (elementary school) and 10 p.m. (junior high and older). While penalties aren't included, the city hopes to encourage reflection on smartphone habits and will collaborate with schools and parents to promote healthy device use.