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A World Health Organization (WHO) physician has proposed that nations implement regulations on digital devices, such as smartphones, akin to the restrictions placed on products like cigarettes, which are subject to age and location limitations. This suggestion arises from growing apprehensions about smartphone and social media addiction. Companies like Human Made Devices (HMD) are also addressing these concerns, offering devices aimed at facilitating digital detoxification, and launching The Better Phone Project to develop smartphones for teenagers with parental involvement.
Dr. Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, WHO’s Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, spoke at the European Health Forum and remarked to Politico, “Perhaps it’s time to reconsider where digital devices are appropriate and think about locations where their use should be restricted, similar to smoking bans in certain areas.”
She referenced a WHO study that examined nearly 280,000 participants ages 11 to 15, revealing that 10% had difficulty controlling their social media habits. The research indicated an upward trend in “problematic gaming and social media behavior” in Europe. Azzopardi Muscat suggested implementing measures like age restrictions, controlled pricing, and designated locations for device use as strategies to help individuals better manage their interactions with technology. Many countries already enforce smoking bans in indoor venues such as restaurants and gyms, while providing designated smoking areas in locations like airports.
Research conducted by King’s College London in August indicated that 33% of surveyed teens acknowledged struggling with what is termed Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU). These individuals were found to be twice as likely to experience anxiety and three times more likely to encounter depression compared to their peers without these issues. Azzopardi Muscat emphasized the importance of equipping children and adolescents with knowledge about the dangers of prolonged smartphone and social media use. Educating them can help them identify issues and learn to manage their technology consumption more effectively than simply enforcing age and location restrictions.
“We must exercise caution because there is a segment of the population reporting problematic usage, which can subsequently impact their academic performance, mental health, and overall productivity,” Azzopardi Muscat stated. She also noted the necessity of gathering further evidence regarding the issue before making any policy decisions.
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