Concerns about minors’ use of cell phones continue to grow. In February of this year, the Spanish government proposed banning access to social media for those under the age of 16, and a study by the Community of Madrid warned about how social media contributes to compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors in adolescents.
To address this issue, the City Council of Boadilla del Monte has launched an initiative encouraging minors to move about the city without their cell phones. Under the name“Boadilla en familia,”it allows any minor who needs to make a phone call to do so from establishments identified with the campaign’s sticker.
Going out without a cell phone but safely
The network already includes 45 businesses spread throughout the municipality, as reported by the city council. Its goal is to build trust among families and prevent leaving home from becoming an excuse for minors to use a cell phone.
To find out which businesses offer this service , simply look for the “Comercio Amigo” sign on their door . This way, any child or teenager who needs to contact their family members on an occasional basis can do so safely and free of charge.
Open participation
For businesses, lending out their cell phonesdoes not entail custody or liability toward the minor, which makes it easier for them to join the campaign. Additionally,registration remains open for those who wish to join the network and help expand it.
The mayor of Boadilla, Javier Úbeda, has emphasized that the goal is to delay access to a first device until a more mature age. It represents a commitment by the city council and local businesses to the town’s youngest residents.
It also helps minimize the risks of addiction, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors linked to social media, which experts have already warned about.
