Dear Governors,

I am writing to you as a concerned world citizen to bring your attention to an issue that I believe requires urgent attention and action. As an elected official, your role in representing the interests and welfare of our community is critical, and I trust that you will consider my concerns seriously.

We need to regulate the use of smartphone for our children all over theglobe

You who have chosen a noble task, the one of guiding our lives and your own, striving to improve the quality of our daily existence.

You who work every day to grow and to enhance what matters to you. 

You who care about our health:

> SMOKE: in 2005 the law gave us locals without smoke, beach without smoke, flight without smoke and above all smoke-free lungs.

> ALCOHOL: The majority of countries have a minimum legal drinking age of 18. The most commonly known reason for the law behind the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in adolescents. Since the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on the memory and long-term thinking. Alongside that, it can cause liver failure, and create a hormone imbalance in teens due to the constant changes and maturing of hormones during puberty.

> SAFETY: You decide that we had to use seat belt on our cars because it  significantly reduce the risk of serious injury and death in the event of a car accident; it lowers mortality and injury rates. Wear it encourages more responsible driving behaviors and increases awareness of road safety.

Seat belt laws reflect a societal commitment to protect citizens and reduce healthcare costs associated with road injuries.

The adoption of seat belt laws aligns with recommendations from international organizations that promote road safety.

>HEALTH: 2020 Covid You protected us, confined in our homes, from a global pandemic.

To you who care about our health, I urge you to NOT WASTE ANY MORE TIME and to ACT NOW to save our children’s minds from:

> ANXIETY According to recent estimates, about 10-20% of adolescents worldwide suffer from anxiety disorders. This translates to tens of millions of adolescents, 
 
> MIOPYA is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially among children,
 
> DEPRESSION Although there are no universally accepted precise figures, some studies indicate that about 10-15% of adolescents may suffer from depressive symptoms related to the use of social media and technology in general.
         For example, research has shown correlations between prolonged social media use and an increase in depressive symptoms. Key factors include social comparison, cyberbullying, and a lack of face-to-face social interactions)

> LONELINESS  such as the phenomenon of Hikkikomori
 

and from the mental distress, eating disorders, self-injurious behaviour and suicidality.

I am talking about the management of smartphones as gateways to social media, which I believe you, being aware and informed, are certainly familiar with. 

I urge you to prepare a NEW REGULATION - WORLDWIDE, we do not have time to wait that each country take their own decision. 

This could include supporting or opposing specific legislation, advocating for policy changes, or taking action to address the issue in another way. 

Please consider the following steps:

1. REGULATE THE USE OF SMARTPHONES :where to use them, at what age to use them, how to use them. We could take inspiration from smoking: no in airplanes, no in restaurants, no in schools…

2. ENSURE THAT AGE-APPROPRIATE PHONES (not smartphones) ARE AVAILABLE :they exists in some countries but not worldwide.

3. INTRODUCE "TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS" AS A SUBJECT in schools starting from elementary levels, with accompanying booklets for parents (covering everything from radios and televisions to phones and technology).

4. COMMUNICATE PROMPTLY TO HOSPITALS, PEDIATRICIANS, AND THOSE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PARENTS about the potential issues that may arise from the home use of these devices (TVs, iPads, smartphones, video games).

5. PROPOSE TO REDESIGN PARENT-CHILD TIME IN THE WORK CONTEST: we don't need substitutes: nurseries, babysitters, activities; but rather time to spend with our children .

6. REGULATE TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES in order to reduce the risks embedded within the platforms/apps themselves

This issue is not only important to me but also to many others in our community who may not have the means or opportunity to voice their concerns directly. Addressing this matter can lead to create the men of tomorrow. It is imperative that we work together to ensure that the community continues to thrive and that the well-being of all its residents is protected.

You are the professionals, you have access to all the studies from experts (psychologists, neurologists, university professors), it is your job.
We are organizing ourselves into associations; the process is important, it is right, but it is slow. Our priority is to raise our children, and it takes a lot of time.
Just as you were able to listen to professionals and ACT IMMEDIATELY during COVID, we ask you to do it again now. To understand the MAGNITUDE of the problem, the URGENCY of the problem, and our CALL FOR HELP.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and your ongoing commitment to serving our community. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this further and to hear your thoughts on how we can move forward.

Please feel free to contact me at miriam.gelmini@eventsorganizer.eu to arrange a meeting or to provide an update on your stance regarding this issue.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your prompt response and action on this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Miriam Gelmini