A group of restaurants in Sardinia has launched a one-month pilot program banning smartphone and digital device use during meals. Source: theguardian.com.
What Happened
Fifteen dining establishments have joined a trial called A tavola senza schermi – ‘At the table without screens’.
The program begins next week and runs for one month. Families must leave all devices at the table during meals.
After handing over their phones, families receive a ‘reunion kit’ from restaurant staff.
How the Initiative Works
The reunion kit was designed by the Italian federation of paediatricians.
It includes a brochure on the risks of excessive screen time and tips for managing social media at home.
Staff lead a short, time-limited game to encourage conversation between parents and children.
The game is structured to fit naturally into a lunch or dinner, without disrupting the meal.
Who Is Behind the Initiative
The campaign is led by Anna Cau, the children’s ombudsman for Sardinia.
Cau, a former juvenile magistrate, said the goal is not to blame parents.
She emphasized that real-world settings should support families and help children connect with others.
The initiative reflects a broader philosophy focused on everyday interactions for children.
Support and Response
The Sardinian wing of Fipe-Confcommercio, a catering and tourism group, helped develop the program with Cau.
Emanuele Frongia, the federation’s president, said all 15 restaurants agreed to join without hesitation.
He said restaurants help families rebuild intimacy during meals.
Frongia noted that many families now use phones to stay quiet, often giving children devices to keep them occupied.
Limitations and Next Steps
The program is only a one-month trial. No plans have been shared for expansion.
Participation is voluntary and does not apply to all restaurants in the region.
There is no public data on how many families joined or how interactions changed during meals.
The initiative does not address screen time in schools or digital habits at home.
It also does not consider families who need devices for work or communication.
The program remains a local experiment with no formal evaluation of results.
Sources & further reading
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