Paraguayan senator warns of 'zombie society' from phone addiction, backs school restrictions
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Named sources
Approved/passed
- Paraguayan Senator Mario Varela supports restricting smartphones in schools, warning of a "zombie society" created by excessive screen time.
- He argues that constant screen exposure leads to social isolation, diminished communication skills, and mental health issues among young people.
- The Senate has approved a bill to regulate portable electronic devices in educational institutions, aiming to protect vulnerable students.
Senator Mario Varela of Paraguay is advocating for stricter regulations on smartphone use in schools, expressing deep concern over the growing impact of technology addiction on children and adolescents. He warns that excessive time spent on screens is fostering a "zombie society," characterized by social isolation, a decline in communication abilities, and rising mental health challenges.
El exceso de tiempo frente a las pantallas está creando una “sociedad de zombis”, caracterizada por el aislamiento social, la pérdida de habilidades comunicativas y problemas de salud mental.
During a recent Senate debate, Varela backed a bill aimed at regulating portable electronic devices in educational settings, from early childhood to secondary levels. He emphasized that this issue is not unique to Paraguay, citing other countries that have already implemented similar measures. Chile, he noted, has seen positive outcomes in student interaction and integration following restrictions on smartphone use in educational environments.
El objetivo no es censurar, si no proteger, afirma senador
Varela clarified that the proposed legislation is not intended to censor technology but rather to protect a particularly vulnerable population. He highlighted that children and adolescents are in crucial stages of emotional and cognitive development, requiring appropriate guidance and limits. The senator stressed that unfettered access to information through devices can create a sense of vulnerability.
El exceso de información en manos de niños y jóvenes en etapas de formación genera también una situación de vulnerabilidad.
"When all the kids, the children and adolescents are on their phones, we are creating a zombie society," Varela stated, explaining that the constant presence of screens encourages isolation and addictive behaviors. He referenced psychological and psychiatric studies linking intensive device use to brain reward mechanisms involving dopamine release. The senator believes that a tool meant to facilitate knowledge access can negatively impact students' emotional and mental well-being if used without limits.
Cuando todos los chicos, los niños y adolescentes están con su teléfono, nosotros estamos creando una sociedad de zombis.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
