Seine-Port is introducing restrictions on phone use in streets, shops and parks – but young people say there’s little else to do

Seine-Port is introducing restrictions on phone use in streets, shops and parks – but young people say there’s little else to do

A picture of a smartphone with a red line through it serves as a warning in the window of a hairdresser’s shop in a French village that has voted to ban people scrolling on their phones in public. “Everyone is struggling with too much screen time,” said Ludivine, a cardiology nurse, as she had her hair cut into a bob, leaving her phone out of sight in her bag. “I voted in favour, this could be a solution.”

Seine-Port, in the Seine-et-Marne area south of Paris, with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, last weekend voted yes in a referendum to restrict smartphone use in public, banning adults and children from scrolling on their devices while walking down the street, while sitting with others on a park bench, while in shops, cafes or eating in restaurants and while parents wait for their children in front of the school gates. Those who might check their phone’s map when lost are instead being encouraged to ask for directions.

The village has also approved a charter for families on children’s use of screens: no screens of any kind in the morning, no screens in bedrooms, no screens before bed or during meals. If parents of teenagers sign a written agreement not to give their child a smartphone before the age of 15, the town hall will provide the child with an old-fashioned handset for calls only.

  • @rdyoung
    6•10 months ago

    Ah yes, kids outside playing with friends and using their creativity to come up with things to do. That was such a dangerous time and all of us who grew up before mobile devices were everywhere are all in jail because we did stupid shit. Not to mention how unhealthy if was to be running around, biking, blading, etc out in the sun.

    Yep, let’s reinforce kids never getting any sun and spending all of their time living through their phones or pads and never really experiencing life in the moment.

    This isn’t just about the kids anymore though. Even gray hairs who grew up before we had even the motorola brick are watching entire concerts through their phone.

    I’m not saying that I agree with the “state” trying to set those kind of limits. That’s up to parents or other guardians. I remember when having a TV in your room was a privilege now even toddlers have iphones/pads that they scream and cry without.