Business · Axios
Phone-free bars and restaurants on the rise across the U.S.
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Patrons talking at Hush Harbor bar in Washington, D.C., which has a phone ban.
Key facts
- Consumer Affairs data from 2024 show Americans typically check their phones 144 times per day and spend about 4.5 hours on their devices
- At least 11 states now have individual restaurants or bars with some form of phone restriction or a digital-detox incentive
- Patrons talking at Hush Harbor bar in Washington, D.C., which has a phone ban
- Phone-free bars and restaurants are emerging across the U.S. as people seek to disconnect from screens and devices
Summary
Phone-free bars and restaurants are emerging across the U.S. as people seek to disconnect from screens and devices. This trend is emerging amid a societal shift, with several countries imposing social media bans for children and teens, some U.S. states prohibiting phone use at school, and more live events restricting phones. Studies and other evidence showing the negative impact that smartphones and social media have on learning, information retention, socialization, and self-esteem have helped to prompt the shift, Kara Nielsen, a San Francisco Bay Area-based food trend expert. Consumer Affairs data from 2024 show Americans typically check their phones 144 times per day and spend about 4.5 hours on their devices.