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French town bans phone scrolling - 1st April 2024

In Seine-Port, a picturesque French village south of Paris, a recent ban on scrolling through smartphones in public spaces has attracted attention. The unusual step highlights growing concerns about the use of smartphones and their possible effect on social relations.

The ban forbids children and grown-ups from scrolling on their devices in public locations, such as at restaurants, cafes and outside the school. Those using their phone to try and navigate the town's streets are advised to interact with a person for guidance.

Locals voted for the ban but despite the strict wording, local police say they won't be able to prevent people from scrolling. Instead, government officials are recommending that eateries stick up signs announcing they're smartphone free zones and avoid dealing with customers who are ignoring the ban. Posters have already been positioned outside the local primary school requesting everyone to pocket their devices.

Seine-Port's mayor, Vincent Paul-Petit, emphasises that this rule isn't because smartphones are evil. Rather, it's a reminder to be cautious about their use. He's expressed a wish to protect certain spaces for meaningful social contact. He hopes this change will fight the addictive qualities of smartphones that can draw attention away from the present moment.

Many parents, like mother Ludivine, felt the mental and physical health of children was the main issue. "A lot of children and adults are intoxicated by screens," she explained. "Even babies in pushchairs", she added.

Not everyone approves. 20 year old Gabriel, who describes himself as a moderate phone user, argues for phone use in public, saying, "You can't ban knowledge at your fingertips."

While scientific studies have linked extensive scrolling of smartphones to physical issues such as muscle fatigue, sight and bad posture, there remains a gap in our understanding. Scientists are unsure how phone use affects individuals' social relationships.