In recent years, smartphones have become almost universally present—especially in urban settings. Whether you’re at the mall, in a coffee shop, or waiting at the airport, it’s nearly impossible not to see people locked into their screens.
Restaurants are no exception. It’s common to see diners scrolling through social feeds, snapping selfies, or checking messages between bites. Younger generations are particularly absorbed—often taking group selfies and posting instantly to social media. Even older adults are catching on, comfortably reading the news or browsing the web on their large-screen Android phones.
But tonight, I saw something that gave me pause.
At a nearby table, a family of three—a mother, father, and their young daughter, no more than two years old—were waiting for their food. Both parents were absorbed in their phones, completely disengaged from their daughter, who sat quietly with nothing to do. She wasn’t throwing a tantrum or whining for attention. She simply waited, still and silent, as if she knew not to expect any interaction.
Later that evening, my wife and I reflected on what we saw. If this is how the family behaves in public, it’s likely a reflection of what happens at home, too. Perhaps that’s why their daughter was so “well-behaved”—not because of discipline, but because she’s used to not being acknowledged. As the French saying goes, “Quel dommage” — what a shame.
I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not immune to the pull of my phone. I may not be a heavy gamer, but I enjoy reading articles and blogs on my iPhone or iPad. I use the word “addicted” loosely, but realistically, I can’t imagine going back to life without a smartphone. The convenience is incredible. Just recently, I filed an insurance claim and paid a cable bill—all while waiting for my wife in the grocery store parking lot.
Still, balance is essential. In our household, we made a conscious decision over a decade ago: no devices at mealtimes, whether at home or in restaurants. That rule predates the smartphone boom, but it’s never been more relevant than it is today.
As a New Year’s resolution, I’m committing to being even more mindful of my device use—especially when I’m with family. I want to reserve screen time for my personal time. My focus during family moments should be on the people I’m with, not the screen in my hand.
What about you? Do you find yourself glued to your phone more than you’d like? Have you seen similar situations in public spaces? Do you have any personal or family rules around screen time? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.