Frankie and Benny's restaurants are attempting to bring back the art of conversation with the introduction of 'No Phone Zones'.
For families willing to hand over their mobiles and spend their time at the table talking to their nearest and dearest, children will eat free.
From tomorrow until 7 December, waiting staff will ask customers if they fancy putting their smartphones into one of the special 'No Phone Zone' boxes across the chains 250 restaurants.
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Instead of looking at their screens, families will be handed games and colouring materials, which seems like a nice idea until a super competitive dad storms out because he's losing at snakes and ladders.
Although only temporary for now, a restaurant spokesperson told the Daily Mail it could become a permanent move if it's popular.
A Frankie and Benny's spokesperson said: "Our staff will be actively encouraging customers and families to take part in the initiative but of course, we can't force them to hand over their phones.
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"If the initiative is a success we'll certainly be looking at ways to activate it on a more permanent basis."
Paying parents who opt to be smartphone-free during their meal will be eligible for a free meal for children up to the age of 14 ordering from the kid's menu.
The idea came about after a poll found that 56 percent of British kids said they wanted to have more conversations with their parents.
The study, which polled 1,500 children and adults, also found that 46 percent of little ones would like to see their parents' phones taken away during meal times - so Frankie and Benny's has stepped in.
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In other sad stats from the study, eight percent of kids admitted to trying to hide a parent's phone in order to get some attention and 15 percent reckon their folks have a phone 'addiction' which left them feeling like they'd rather be on their phone than talk to them.
The spokesperson added: "We looked at various ways we could encourage people to engage more at the dinner table, and we've found giving families the chance to part with their devices for a mere couple of hours is a great way to bring them closer and embrace family time."
Featured Image Credit: Frankie and Benny's