ROME – The Regional Assembly of Sicily, have voted to impose a ban on the devices on all digital devices for children under the age of 5, with parents, who allow their children to use smartphone or tablets, risk of a fine of 100 to 500 euros.

 The issue was a bi-partisan one, which now awaits the formal approval of parliament before it can go ahead with implementing the ban, which given the unanimity of the vote on Wednesday afternoon, ought to be granted. 

 The legislation had been brought forward by the Five Star Movement and signed by both the deputy and paediatrician, Carlo Gilistro. 

 “By now people everywhere are becoming aware that digital devices are essential, but that they must be used with great caution, especially by little ones.”

 “The damage can be irreparable and parents must know this: the smartphones that you light-heartedly give your children to keep them quiet are not innocuous little toys but something else altogether,” said Gilistro. 

 Unfortunately, Sicily does not have the ‘autonomy’ to carry out immediately legislation of this kind and so much await approval in Rome, he added. 

 The island follows the lead of Sweden, which has also banned smartphones and tablets for the youngest in society. 

 The legislation states that it will be forbidden to use ‘devices that work via radiofrequency waves or videogames before the age of five’ and then a limited used from 6 years old with parental supervision. 

 The ban is also predicted to extend to children when they are on school grounds, during teaching hours in both middle and high schools. 

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