A high-ranking official from the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that countries should consider restricting how young people use smartphones and other handheld devices. Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, who leads a part of the WHO focused on health policies, likened the overuse of these gadgets to being addicted to tobacco.
At a recent health forum in Austria, she suggested that just like smoking bans in certain places, we might need to think about where and when it’s okay to use smartphones. “Maybe it’s time to create rules for using digital devices, especially for young people,” she said.
Why This Matters
Dr. Azzopardi-Muscat pointed out that while technology can be helpful, it can also hurt mental health, hinder education, and decrease productivity at work. Many young people are spending too much time on their phones, and some report that their usage is becoming a problem.
She emphasized that we need to carefully collect evidence about how devices affect kids before deciding on the best approach. “It’s clear we can’t wait any longer to take action,” she stated.
Growing Concern Worldwide
Health experts and government officials from various countries are increasingly worried about how smartphones and social media are impacting children. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared her concerns too, saying, “It breaks my heart to hear about young people suffering or even taking their lives due to online abuse.”
In response to these worries, several countries have already taken steps to limit how much time children spend on screens. For example, the Netherlands, Hungary, France, Greece, and England have all banned smartphones in classrooms to help students focus on learning.
What’s Next?
As the debate continues, it raises an important question: should we treat smartphone use like smoking, imposing limits to protect our young people? With experts urging immediate action, the conversation about smartphone restrictions for kids is just beginning, and it could change how we think about technology and its role in our lives.
