A special lane painted on a footpath in Xi'an dedicated to smartphone addicts has triggered discussions online in China, reports Sanqin Metropolis Daily.

The walking path for phubbers in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province [Photo: Sanqin Metropolis Daily]

The one-meter-wide, 100-meter-long track is painted in red, blue, and green, with pictures of mobile phones and the words "Special walkway for phubbers" in Chinese.

"Phubbers" is a new word coined to describe people who stare at their phone and ignore anyone or anything else around them.

The walking path for phubbers in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province [Photo: Sanqin Metropolis Daily]

Supporters think the walking path is a good way of reminding people to put their phones away and pay attention to their surroundings for their own safety and the safety of others.

But others have questioned its effectiveness. As one visitor argued, "Many people used to looking at their mobile phone while they're walking won't notice the warning."