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ITALY-MOBILEPHONE-INTERNET-ADDICTION
Italy drafts ‘no-mobile-phone phobia’ law
ROME, July 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star
Movement (M5S) has drafted a law aimed at preventing and treating the rising
phenomenon of addiction to mobile phones and computers, particularly among
the young.
The bill seeks to treat so-called “no-mobile-phone phobia” (also known as
“nomophobia”) or the fear of not being able to get regular access to social
networks or messaging apps.
It proposes education programmes for parents to detects 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.
Half of Italians aged 15-20 consult their mobile phones at least 75 times
a day, Italian media on Monday quoted research by the National Association of
Technological Dependance as saying.
Around 61 percent of Italians use their tablet or mobile phone in bed,
according to another report published in June, with the figure rising to 81
percent among 18-34 year olds.
The ruling M5S said in its draft that mobile phone addiction is comparable
to gambling addiction, causing “interference with dopamine production”.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1845HRS