Frankie and Benny’s have announced that a ‘phone-ban’ at all tables in their UK restaurants will be implemented on a trial basis next week.
After conducting a nationwide survey that found that 72 percent of British children wished that their parents would spend less time on their mobile devices and more time talking to them, the popular restaurant chain has decided to try an incentive to help parents’ step-back from their phones so that the family could reconnect at meal times.
Families who are willing to hand over their phones at the door of the restaurant will be rewarded with a free meal for any child under the age of 14.
What do you think? Would you do the same at home?
Try taking a step back from your devices when your children are around. Put your phone in a cupboard and leave it there. See if the lack of a device changes the way you and your children interact with each other.
Do you talk more? Do you have time for more family activities? If you’re stuck for ideas on what to do, you could play a board game, read together or just enjoy a family dinner without a distracting device in your hand.
Maybe your child will open up to you and tell you more about their day, especially if they know they have your full attention.
What do you think? Would you ban devices at meal times?