Ishikawa Prefecture seeks efforts to bar kids from having cellphones

Tuesday 30th June, 05:07 AM JST

KANAZAWA —

The Ishikawa prefectural assembly passed an ordinance Monday stipulating parents’ obligation to make efforts not to give cellphones to their children at the ages of elementary and junior high school students. The measure, to be enforced in January, would be the first local ordinance in Japan aiming to restrict mobile phone possession by children although it does not carry any penalties.

Assembly members from the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party had proposed the bill, which cleared the assembly by a majority vote. The proposing assembly members have advocated that a rule that would protect immature children is necessary. Opponents have said it is a matter to be considered individually at home and at school, including through dialogue with the children. The prefectural government now plans to ask local municipal education boards and parents and teachers associations for cooperation. It also envisions enhancing understanding by parents and related companies through explanations and leaflets.

Kyodo

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11 Comments

Den Den at 07:23 AM JST - 30th June

Are they serious? Junior high school students are developing social skills, and communication is important in this process. What are the reasons for this outrage?
electric2004 at 12:24 PM JST - 30th June

Maybe the phone companies forgot to "donate" enough to the LDP and Komeito this time.
LovelessHero at 01:17 PM JST - 30th June

This is very good, maybe they'll have to learn traditional social skills instead of texting all the time.
EUgirl at 01:26 PM JST - 30th June

I think a half-way rule would be good: no cell phones in schools. They would have to leave them in the locker, if they carry one on the way to school. That way they would have a phone on the way to school, in case something happens, bu the text messaging would not be a hazzle in schools.
Richardson at 01:48 PM JST - 30th June

The reason should be obvious; cellphones cause brain tumours and DNA destruction, and the young are especially vulnerable. This is all probably too little too late to save what will doubtless be referred to later as the Brain Tumour Generation. A friend of mine who works for Motorola says that they are aware of the inevitability of class action suits in years to come, but figure they can make so much money by then that they will be able to afford it. Same story as with the tobacco companies...
MeAndroo at 02:10 PM JST - 30th June

According to the news, one of the main reasons they want to ban phones is to help get rid of bullying. The media, fantastical as it is, showed a number of emails with the phrase "shine" over and over. Obviously you should outlaw one method of bullying instead of trying to root out the cause.
dat5h at 02:21 PM JST - 30th June

Richardson, have you actually investigated this? Looking at some recent research... in 2006, Schüz et al. published, "We found no evidence for an association between tumor risk and cellular telephone use among either short-term or long-term users," in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Granted, this is only one study, but it makes me wonder why you are so credulous (too fast to believe).

This leads me to wonder, why are they banning phone use to children? Does the bill actually have any reasoning given?
dat5h at 02:32 PM JST - 30th June

Thanks, meandroo. Why do people often jump too quickly to fix one symptom instead of correcting the deeper problem?
mael at 07:27 PM JST - 30th June

Richardson is quite correct and much more could be said of the deletarious effects of those cellphones.

At least making an effort to prevent the youngsters from some of the effects of these devices is encouraging. That they seem to have to make up bs excuses to effect a ban of these phones in class is unfortunate. But preventing kids from those EM waves is the most important thing so whatever it takes.

Cell phones for social skills? Are you serious? Today's yoof are the most self-centred socially inept bunch I've ever set eyes on. Banning those infernal devices would help to rectify this appalling situation. Or if not banning them outright then making people aware of the dangers of the tech so that people can decide for themselves how much and when to use them based on being able to make an informed choice.

These cell phones are every bit as dangerous and anti-social as cigarrettes-but in a different way. And beginning about now we are going to see how much harm they have already caused and with any luck people are going to point at the brain-damaged from these phones and use them less rashly.

I hate the damn things because of how they are the centre of many people's lives - their interface with reality. And though I appreciate being able to communicate with people whenever I want because they have cell phones I tend to only contact people I know aren't the sort who keep these phones close to their bodies all the time.
mael at 07:30 PM JST - 30th June

Correction.

...But protecting kids from those EM waves is the most important thing so whatever it takes...
dat5h at 02:56 PM JST - 1st July

You are correct, mael, in that IF there is a obvious risk of harm, children's safety is of utmost importance. I also agree that cell phones are often too much the center of a person's being. HOWEVER, mael, have you read any cancer research that supports your assertions about the danger of "EM waves" (do you know what an EM wave is?)? As I pointed out before, recent cancer research indicates NO EFFECT as a result of cell phone use.