On the 16th of this month, a mother in her 40s was murdered in Shizuoka Prefecture.


The daughter, who is in the first grade of junior high school, told the police, "Her mother warned her that she was using SNS too much, and she got into an argument."



How to let children use smartphones is a troubling problem for parents.


How are you using your smartphone now?



(Osaka Broadcasting Station Reporter Kengo Tanii Kana Akiyoshi Director Masashi Kumagai)

"It's different from your mother's generation."

When I asked children in Osaka what they really think about smartphones, a



third-year high school girl said,


"I look at LINE and Instagram quite often. Conversations with friends, stories. There is no such thing.”



Third-year high school girl


“When I was in junior high school, I was restricted from using it too much, so I kept my promise and used it. It was set so that it could only be used on , but honestly, I really wanted to keep in touch with my friends.



”

Second-year high school daughter


: “On many days, I use it for half a day.



Mother


: "I think it's necessary as a means of communication, but as a parent, I'm a little worried



. "



Daughter


: "Don't get angry and take away your smartphone. I have an appointment with a friend to call you at night, and if I cancel at the last minute, I'll be the one who complains later.



" , Isn't it completely different from now? I can't understand even if the way of thinking is forced on me."



Mother


: "It's difficult. Parents' thoughts and how children interact with smartphones are different. I want you to use it safely."



Parents and children seem to have a deep problem...

The number of children with their own smartphones is increasing rapidly

According to the 2021 survey, the percentage of smartphone users is:


▼ 38.6% for elementary school students ▼ 72.6% for junior high school students ▼ 97.7% for high school students.

In recent years, 63.3% of elementary school students and 91.1% of junior high school students have their own smartphones, rather than sharing smartphones with their parents.

30% of children addicted to the Internet Corona disaster also affects

On the other hand, there are also interesting data.



In a survey of elementary, junior high and high school students in Osaka Prefecture, regarding Internet use,


"I get irritated when I try to shorten my time" and


"I have lied to my family and teachers to hide my enthusiasm"


.


29.2% of junior high school students and 28.3% of high school students said

they tend to be addicted to the Internet .

Associate Professor Takeuchi of the University of Hyogo, who was involved in the survey, says that the coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact.



Associate Professor Kazuo Takeuchi of Hyogo Prefectural University


"I can't talk during lunch time. I can't see you at school. I can't play. I can't talk to my neighbors even in class. In such a situation, if I can still communicate with them, there's no other way than my smartphone.



" Children say that smartphones have become like air to them, like a part of their bodies.”

Listen carefully to what your child has to say

When asked for advice for parents...

Associate Professor Kazuo Takeuchi, University of Hyogo


"When I asked a child who couldn't talk to his parents when he was in big trouble and why he didn't, he said, 'If I tell my mother, she'll take it away. She'll get angry again. Don't listen to me.'" "First of all, listen carefully to what the children have to

say



. I think it's necessary to work to reconcile the statements of the children with those of the adults."

There is also this method

Everyone who is wondering whether to let their children have smartphones from now on.



According to Associate Professor Takeuchi, it is important for parents and children to learn the functions and how to use smartphones together before the children start owning their own smartphones.



Also, if your child already has a smartphone, there is also a method like this.



This is an "offline camp" run by Hyogo prefecture.

For 5 days and 4 nights, we limit the amount of time children can use smartphones, and instead let them realize the importance of "real experiences" other than smartphones, such as canoeing and campfires with friends.



Even if it's not such a large-scale event, it would be nice if parents and children could share time away from their smartphone screens together.