A French village has voted to ban people from using their smartphones in public – even if they wanted to use the device for directions.
The bold move is a bid to reduce screen time, especially for children and young adults within families.
Seine-Port, based in Seine-et-Marne, south of Paris, voted in a referendum to restrict people from using smartphones in public. The ‘yes’ vote won, and it wants to prevent adults and children from using their devices while walking down the street, in the park, in shops, cafes or eating in restaurants. The village has a population of fewer than 2,000 people and only 20% of people on the electoral register turned up last weekend to cast their vote – just 277 people.
Mayor Vincent Paul-Petit will now write a municipal decree on smartphone use, the first of its kind in the country. Although it’s been chosen in a referendum, it can be enforced by police and no fines can be given out. However, Mayor Petit hopes it’ll help people to reduce their screen time, and shopkeepers are asked to put stickers on shop windows and gently ask people to not use their devices while in the store.
He said it’s “not about banning all phones” in terms of technology but preserving “social life” in public areas. Children and teens who need phones for emergency purposes will be given a standard handset, but not a smartphone, if their parents sign a written agreement not to give them a smartphone before they’re 15.
He told The Guardian: “This is about the addiction element of smartphones, whether games or social networks when we can no longer tear our eyes from the screens. We’ll encourage a baker or butcher not to serve someone who comes in scrolling on their phone: if they’re having a conversation on their phone, they can finish it outside, then come in and say hello.”
But not all may ask people to stop using them.
A restaurant manager said she wouldn’t likely ask customers to put their phones down, but did think it could be interesting for children.
It comes as screen time has become a big debate in the country. Emmanuel Macron told constituents last month he would consult with experts to “determine the best use of screens” for children.
School support worker for children with disabilities, Merry Landouzy, told the paper “screens are part of this generation’s lives”, and said enticing children with activities outside and off screens would encourage them to stop scrolling.
Young people in the village complained there were little things to do for fun except for their smartphones, so the mayor has promised to implement a book exchange, film club and sports facilities.
