Source + Full article here:
https://usbeketrica.com/fr/article/smombies-comment-sortir-les-villes-de-l-addiction-aux-ecrans
The "smombies" phenomenon
The term "smombie," a portmanteau of smartphone and zombie, refers to pedestrians so engrossed in their screens that they become a danger to themselves and others. This phenomenon is particularly visible in large cities. In Seoul, for example, 61% of traffic accidents involve pedestrians who were not paying attention to traffic, focused on their phones. In response to this situation, measures have been implemented, such as illuminated strips on the ground and apps that detect obstacles to prevent collisions.
A city that adapts... or that fuels dependency
Some cities have even created lanes reserved for smartphone users, called "phone lanes." Paradoxically, while these measures aim to limit risks, they can also reinforce continuous screen use. At the same time, cities are being invaded by advertising screens, the number of which continues to grow. In France, their presence is expected to increase by 48% in train stations by 2025, reflecting a profound transformation of urban space in favor of constantly capturing our attention.
Rethinking attention in public spaces
Researchers like sociologist Benjamin Pradel and consultant Hubert Beroche advocate for a "reinvention" of the city. Their proposal: to re-enchant urban spaces to encourage citizens to look up from their phones. This involves developing green spaces, meeting places, sports facilities, and play areas. The goal is to reconnect people with reality from a very young age, to prevent children from becoming "smombies" themselves.
The illusion of a ban
Some municipalities have attempted to ban smartphone use in public spaces, such as Yamato in Japan and Seine-Port in France. However, these bans quickly encounter legal obstacles and the difficulty of enforcing such measures. Furthermore, many city dwellers consider their smartphones an essential tool for navigation, getting around, and communicating. A sudden ban would therefore be neither realistic nor necessarily beneficial.
The city as a sensitive interface
For Hubert Beroche, the future lies in a city less dependent on screens, but not disconnected from information. He proposes developing "low-tech" interfaces where urban data becomes visible in a different way: water bubbles indicating the quality of the Loire River, thermochromic panels revealing cool areas, or luminous clouds projected into the sky to visualize energy consumption. These devices offer a new way to interact with the environment, using the city itself as an interface.
Rather than eliminating screens, the challenge is to encourage city dwellers to disconnect from them. It's about creating a more desirable city, one that attracts attention through its vibrant, playful, and useful offerings. A city that helps people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the real world. The fight against digital addiction thus begins with a new vision of urban life.