An initiative by restaurants in Italy to discourage the use of smartphones and other electronic devices during family meals has drawn attention to the growing concerns surrounding excessive screen time among children.
According to a report by The Guardian, 15 restaurants in Italy's Sardinia are participating in a one-month pilot initiative called A tavola senza schermi, meaning 'at the table without screens'. The programme, launched by Sardinia’s children’s ombudsman, Anna Cau, aims to reduce excessive screen use among children by encouraging families to put away their devices, reconnect over meals and create healthier habits in this digital world.
As part of the initiative, staff at the participating restaurants will provide families who dine with them with activity kits containing games and drawing materials. According to the report, the kit has been designed by the Italian federation of paediatricians and is aimed at helping under-18s start conversations with their parents, such as sharing stories about their day.
“The restaurants will offer an alternative activity in the form of a game which is intended to foster interaction,” said Cau to The Guardian. “Obviously, the games are structured with time limits within the context of a restaurant lunch or dinner.”
How can screen-free meals benefit children’s health?
Eating while watching videos or scrolling through a smartphone can distract children from their meals. When attention is focused on a screen, children may find it harder to recognise hunger and fullness cues.
Screen-free meals can encourage children to pay attention to the food they eat, recognise when they are full and develop a healthier relationship with food.
It is also a time for family to bond, have conversations and express their feelings, both for parents and children. Such moments can help children practise listening, sharing experiences and responding to others.
Excessive recreational screen use can also affect children's sleep, reading and face-to-face interaction.
