Do children and adolescents suffer from cell phone addiction? To counter the ‘device’ as a ‘vice’ a group of M5S deputies, the first signatory Rosalba De Giorgi, has put forward a bill in the House to regulate the use of smartphones, banning them at school and limiting them up to 12 years. The PDL also provides for penalties ranging from 300 to 1500 euros for adults who allow transgressions.
The example of France
The example, first of all, comes from France. In fact, in 2018 a law came into force beyond the Alps which forbid students to use the telephone during teaching hours and in school places. “This bill – as reported in the report – not only intends to introduce in Italy what is already foreseen in France in the scholastic field, but intends to go further, not limiting its field of action to a single context”.
So much so that the bill foresees in the first three years of life “the ban on the use of smartphones, tablets and any other digital device”. In the following three years “it is allowed to gradually introduce the minor to technology for no more than one hour a day” which, in the age group between six and eight, “passes to three hours a day”. Finally, “from nine to twelve years of age, the use of media devices must be limited to four hours a day, always under the supervision of parents”.
The expert speaks: “At ten years, smartphones and social profiles are banned”
by Giada Lo Porto
For the correct implementation of the law, the proposing deputies also deem it necessary to provide for financial penalties for parents who “will allow their children not yet twelve to surf online and use smartphones, tablets and any other digital device without accompaniment and educational supervision”. The fine ranges “from a minimum of € 300 to a maximum of € 1,500”.
No to crusade against technology but to fight addiction to devices
The signatories specify: “It does not want to be a ‘crusade’ against technology which, as distinguished exponents of the Italian Society of Pediatrics have argued for years, in certain situations can also have a positive impact on preschool learning as long as there is the constant support of parents, who are always and in any case responsible for supervising and setting a good example “.
Sometimes, however, the good example, it is underlined, gives way to ‘convenient’ choices of parents who turn a blind eye to the ‘grip’ that the display has on the little ones of the house.
On the other hand, many studies have shown how “learning difficulties, delays in language development, loss of concentration, unjustified aggression, mood alterations, sleep disturbances, addiction” found in children and adolescents are the consequent effects of ” prolonged use of mobile phones and other electronic devices. At the same time, the presenters of the PDL point out, Italian pediatricians have for some time been trying to warn of the risks that the little ones face, but not everyone takes them seriously. Potential health problems, mental development and educational issues that parents and adults in general do not always fully understand.
Smartphones and tablets, an addiction that begins in childhood
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The proponents point out that the tendency of some parents to let their underage children take smartphones, video games and tablets to bed because they believe they can ‘reconcile’ sleep “is” absolutely deleterious “.” The bone structure of a child has a reduced thickness “compared to that of a boy or an adult and also has” a brain tissue capable of absorbing more energy transmitted by telephones “.
The bill in detail
The PDL consists of eight articles. Article 1 establishes the purpose of the provision, namely the safeguarding of the psychophysical growth process of children under the age of twelve. Article 2 defines what electronic devices are prohibited and the third article explains how to use them according to age groups. Article 4 provides for the introduction of a ban on telephones and other devices in primary and lower secondary schools. Article 5 provides for the commitment by the government and the ministry to promote awareness campaigns on the subject. The sixth article introduces the obligation to observe the law and the 7th defines the financial penalties for those who transgress. Finally, Article 8 provides for the need for financial coverage of 50,000 euros per year starting from 2021.
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