A city in Japan is considering a new rule that encourages people to use their smartphones for no more than two hours a day, outside of work or school. The plan will apply to residents of Toyoake City in central Japan, but it will not be enforced with penalties, meaning no one will be punished for exceeding the limit.

Mayor Masafumi Koki explained that the proposal is meant to reduce health problems caused by too much screen time, including poor sleep and stress. The draft also suggests that elementary school pupils should avoid using their phones after 9:00 pm, while junior high school students and older should stop by 10:00 pm.

The idea has sparked strong reactions online, with many people calling it unrealistic. Some social media users argued that two hours is not enough to even finish a book or a movie on a smartphone. Others believe that how long children or adults use their devices should be a matter for families to decide, not the government.

In response to the criticism, the mayor clarified that the rule is not mandatory but simply advice. He emphasized that smartphones are useful and important in daily life, and the city only wants to promote healthier usage.

The proposal will be reviewed next week, and if approved, it could take effect in October. A similar move was made in 2020 in the Kagawa region, where officials asked children to limit gaming to one hour on school days and 90 minutes during holidays.

That rule also suggested that children under 15 should not use smartphones after 9:00 pm, with a 10:00 pm limit for teenagers up to 18.

Despite these efforts, a survey released in March by the Children and Families Agency shows that Japanese youth spend a little over five hours online on weekdays, far above the suggested limits.