Sardinian Restaurants Launch 'A tavola senza schermi' Pact to Reward Families Who Disconnect During Meals — Smartphones and mobile

Over a dozen restaurants in Sardinia, Italy, have joined forces under the initiative 'A tavola senza schermi' to encourage families to leave their mobile phones aside during dinner. Participants who voluntarily disconnect for at least one month will receive a special kit containing games and parenting guides.

Mobile phones have increasingly become an unwelcome guest at dining tables, often distracting diners from the people sitting with them as they take photos of dishes or respond to notifications. While some establishments globally have resorted to outright bans, viewing smartphones as the new cigarettes, a group of restaurants in Sardinia has opted for a more collaborative approach. More than a dozen venues across the Italian island have united to launch a voluntary disconnection agreement aimed at families.

The initiative, titled 'A tavola senza schermi' (At the table without screens), is set to run for at least one month. It was organized following an invitation from FIPE Confcommercio Sardegna and the Regional Office for the Protection of Children and Adolescents as part of their broader 'Eating without screens' project. The primary goal is to challenge families to put their phones aside while enjoying a meal, fostering conversation that is increasingly lost in the digital age.

Participation in this disconnection pact is entirely voluntary. Families who choose to join will be rewarded with an 'Encounter Kit.' This package includes games and activities suitable for various ages, a brochure offering advice for parents, and a comprehensive guide provided by the Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP). The program seeks to raise awareness about screen addiction, particularly among young people, without demonizing technology but rather highlighting the importance of distinguishing between real-world interactions and digital distractions.

The participating restaurants are located in various cities across Sardinia, including Cagliari, Capoterra, Nuoro, Ussassai, Bari Sardo, Alghero, Olbia, Porto Rotondo, Santa Teresa Gallura, Oristano, and Torre Grande. The specific venues include Antica Cagliari, Pani e Casu, La Terrazza Pizzeria Ristorante, Pappas Experience, Il Niala, I Tre Mori da Mario, Risto Fever, Les Arenes, Ristorante Movida, Ristorante Terranostra, La Rosa dei Venti, S'Andira, Craf da Banana, and Eolo. This movement mirrors similar social pacts seen elsewhere in Europe, such as the 'Family Pact' in Catalonia and digital blackout initiatives in Basque cities like Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Vitoria.

Sources: Xataka Móvil.