A playground in Sicily has become the
first public space in Italy to ban children and adults from
using their smartphones.
The fair, at Balestrate, a small town outside Palermo, has put
up signs banning phones and urging users to put them into a
cupboard by the entrance.
The project, which aims to stop people young and old chatting
via the Web and using social media, is a product of the
Balestrate parents' association.
"This playground," explains the project's creator Riccardo
Vescovo, "has the aim of sending a message to parents and
children, of attention and care for public goods.
"Not using social media and smartphones means reflecting on the
importance of the reality which surrounds us, and rediscovering
the authentic value of life.
"To use the words of Pope Francis, it's an invitation to be more
social and less on social media".
The play area has hundreds of visitors every day.
"It's a great novelty for children and parents," says Balestrate
parents' association President Piera Testaverde.
"The little ones are very careful to follow the ban, and for
grown-ups, too, it's a pleasure to take a break from technology
for a few hours.
"We've even put in some old-time games so that kids and their
grandparents can play together".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
