A group of 15 restaurants on the Italian island of Sardinia is banning phones and screens at the dinner table for a month-long trial starting next week. The initiative, named “A tavola senza schermi” or “At the table without screens,” aims to reduce children’s screen time, encourage family conversation, and counter digital distraction during meals.
Sardinian restaurants test the phone-free dining rule
Participating eateries volunteered for the project after the regional Italian newspaper L’Unione Sarda detailed the proposal. When diners arrive at one of the 15 participating restaurants, they must put away or surrender their phones and electronic devices. In return, the table receives a packet containing games, coloring books, and educational brochures designed to spark conversation between parents and children under 18.
Emanuele Frongia, president of a local hospitality and tourism association, told The Guardian that restaurants are important in fostering family intimacy. He noted that lively chatter often fades into silence as people stare at their devices, with children frequently handed phones simply to keep them quiet. The Italian federation of pediatricians designed the activity packets to help families share stories about their day while warning about the risks of excessive online time.
Pediatricians and child advocates warn of online risks
The pediatric federation’s brochures warn that digital overuse contributes to rising rates of insomnia, social isolation, and self-harm among minors. Anna Cau, the island’s children’s ombudsman leading the project, stated that minors need protection from electronic device abuse and inappropriate content. Cau emphasized that parents must grow more aware of both the risks and the opportunities presented by the digital era.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sardinian Screen Ban
Which restaurants are participating in the trial?
A voluntary group of 15 restaurants across the Italian island of Sardinia signed up for the initial one-month pilot project.
What do diners receive after handing over their phones?
Guests receive an activity packet designed by the Italian federation of pediatricians that includes board games, coloring pages, and brochures with tips on limiting social media use.
Who is leading the screen-free dining initiative?
Anna Cau, the children’s ombudsman for Sardinia, leads the project, which is officially titled “A tavola senza schermi.”
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