"Screen-Free Dining" is an experimental project designed to bring dialogue and conviviality back into family meals. The initiative was born from a shared idea between Anna Cau, the Regional Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents, and Fipe Confcommercio Sardegna .
For a month, families at 15 participating Sardinian restaurants will receive games, informational materials, and a practical guide to raising children and adolescents in the digital age.
Introducing the project, Ombudsman Anna Cau emphasized the value of an initiative that rallys the entire community in educational responsibility: "Even a simple gesture like this can offer concrete support to families. Technology must be managed carefully: minors must be protected from the abuse of electronic devices and inappropriate content, while parents need greater awareness of the risks and opportunities of digital technology ."
The primary goal is to encourage a temporary "disconnection" for children, who, instead of phone screens, will have access to games, pencils, and activities to interact directly with their parents.
During the press conference, Emanuele Frongia , president of Fipe Confcommercio Sardegna, emphasized the social function of restaurants: " Restaurants have historically been places for meeting, listening, and sharing. With this project, we want to enhance this vocation, inviting families to rediscover the pleasure of being together, starting with the waiting time. Restaurateurs offer concrete alternatives to screens, but the first example must come from adults: asking children to put away their phones only makes sense if we are the first to do so ."
For Giuseppe Scura , director of Confcommercio Sud Sardegna, the initiative demonstrates the positive impact of the business community on the quality of local life: "The synergy between restaurateurs, pediatricians, and institutions allows us to support families with operational tools and educational messages that are embedded in everyday life. The voluntary nature of participation is the real strength. For Confcommercio, enhancing public establishments also means promoting social awareness that starts with small, everyday habits."
The risks associated with misuse of devices were reiterated by pediatrician Osama Al Jamal, president of the Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMPS) in Sardinia : "Many parents are still lacking in awareness. It's crucial to educate parents about the dangers, but also about the proper use of technology. The problems aren't just related to the length of time spent using technology, but also the type of content. Problems such as insomnia, social isolation, and self-harm are increasingly common."
The initiative is based on significant statistical data: according to the guide published by Fimp, 95% of Italian adolescents regularly use smartphones, and over half keep them on 24/7, with 25% showing signs of problematic use. At the same time, 87% of parents expressed a need for more information to manage their children's relationship with technology.
The experimental phase, initially conceived for 8 facilities, was extended to 15 premises distributed in different locations on the island ( Cagliari, Quartu Sant'Elena, Capoterra, Nuoro, Bari Sardo, Ussassai, Oristano, Alghero, Olbia and Santa Teresa Gallura ) to monitor the phenomenon in both large centres and smaller municipalities.
The trial includes a voluntary disconnection agreement offered to families upon arrival at the table, a " Meeting Kit " with board games for different age groups to play while waiting for their dishes, and an information leaflet containing pediatricians' advice and a QR code to consult the complete Fimp guide.
The " Table Pact " is structured into five essential gestures: adults and children's phones are kept in their bags or in a dedicated basket, and mealtime is used to talk about the day.
While waiting for their food, the little ones use manual toys instead of screens, which are put away once the meal begins. Any exceptions should be agreed upon together before sitting down. Truly urgent phone calls should be made while away from the table .
(Unioneonline/En.Ne.)
