New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- A town in Japan is asking residents to drastically cut back on their smartphone use in a bid to tackle rising concerns about online addiction, poor sleep, and declining mental health.

Officials in Toyoake, located in Aichi prefecture, have proposed that people, children and adults alike restrict their daily screen time to just two hours. The draft measure, described as the first of its kind in Japan to target an entire community, is currently being debated by the municipal assembly and could take effect in October if approved, The Guardian reported.

Under the guidelines, children aged 6 to 12 are urged to avoid smartphones and tablets after 9 pm, while teenagers and adults are encouraged to switch off by 10 pm. Whi...