Rome (AFP)
The dependence of young people on screens and the Internet is at the heart of a bill in Italy that aims to combat the misuse, even pathological, of computers and smartphones.
Worn by the 5 Stars Movement (M5S antisystem, in power) to the Chamber of Deputies, this bill aims to prevent and cure nomophobia (acronym for "no mobile phone phobia") is to say the fear of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it.
The text proposes the introduction of prevention and care training or specific programs to enable parents to detect the risk behavior of their children.
The text also plans to introduce "education for conscious use of the internet and social networks" in schools.
Nomophobia, which particularly affects young people, is manifested by compulsive use of the smartphone and constant monitoring of emails or social networks, often until late in the night.
According to a recent survey of the National Association of Technology Dependence, relayed Monday by the Italian media, half of young Italians between 15 and 20 years control their smartphone 75 times a day.
Another report published in June shows that 61% of Italians use their phones or tablets also in bed, a percentage that rises to 81% among 18-34 year olds.
In the M5S proposal, which cites research and advice from psychiatry teachers, this addiction is compared to gambling addiction.
The addiction to the smartphone "is very similar to other dependencies because it causes interference in the production of dopamine", the molecule associated with the pleasure that is released by the brain, says the text.
fio / fcc / phv
© 2019 AFP