Italian Government Unveils Plan to Tackle Smartphone Addiction

Italian government unveils plan to tackle smartphone addiction
AFP/The Local, 22 July 2019

Italian government ministers have drafted a law aimed at preventing and treating the rising phenomenon of addiction to mobile phones and the internet, particularly among young people.

Photo: DepositPhotos

The bill seeks to treat the fear of not having access to a mobile phone - so-called "no-mobile-phone phobia" (also known as "nomophobia") – and anxiety over not having access to social networks or messaging apps.

It proposes education programmes for parents to detect excessive mobile phone use in children.

The bill also lays out plans for "education towards for a conscientious use of the internet and social networks" in schools and universities.

Nomophobia particularly affects young people, often preventing them getting a good night's sleep.

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