New smartphone will let parents block kids' nighttime use

Japan Times -- Jul 26

This August, a mobile phone service provider will release a smartphone that only works during daytime hours in an effort to restrict elementary school students' screen time, the company said Tuesday.

The product, named "Tone m17" and developed by Tone Mobile Inc., reflects requests from parents for a phone which allows communication with children during the day but without the drawbacks associated with device overuse.

The phone is initially set to be automatically locked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for users who are 12 years old or younger. Parents can modify the settings to shorten the period and even completely unlock the device.

The phone will go on sale on Aug. 1 priced at ¥34,800 ($312) at some Tsutaya stores.

Jul 26 (ANNnewsCH) - 子どもたちのスマホのやり過ぎが懸念されるなか、新たなスマホが登場です。 このスマホは、12歳以下の子どもが午後10時から午前6時まで使用できなくなります。この時間はインターネットだけでなく、ゲームや写真撮影などもできません。