Japan city limits smartphone use to two hours daily in bid to tackle digital addiction

The measure, passed on September 22, will take effect from October 1.

The ordinance specifically calls for elementary school children to avoid using smartphones after 9 p.m., while students under 18 are encouraged to switch off by 10 p.m. Although use for study and work is exempt, the rules are designed to prompt families to set their own household guidelines and prioritise sufficient sleep.

City officials said the push came after parents raised alarms about children refusing to attend school, with excessive smartphone use suspected of contributing to social withdrawal. “The phrase ‘two hours’ has been misunderstood and oversimplified. The ordinance is intended to encourage families to self-check usage habits and discuss rules together,” Mayor Masafumi Koki said. 

Supporters argue that the ordinance is an important step toward tackling sleep loss and truancy linked to smartphone overuse. However, others warn that the measure risks becoming government overreach into personal life, questioning the scientific evidence connecting school absenteeism to screen addiction.

To track its impact, the city’s educational board will offer consultations for parents and conduct surveys on how families are setting rules and whether children’s sleep habits improve. Officials say the ordinance will be periodically reviewed, with adjustments made based on feedback and data.