by Guisela Chiarella
From bustling piazzas to quiet corners of historic cafés, smartphones have become an ever-present part of daily life in Trieste and across Friuli Venezia Giulia. People scroll while walking, check messages mid-conversation, and even pause to take selfies as they cross the city’s Piazza Unità d’Italia.
While this growing dependence on screens is far from unique to the region, it has sparked new conversations in Europe about the need to unplug. In some cities, digital detox initiatives are gaining popularity—offering screen-free social evenings and encouraging people to reconnect face to face. But in northeastern Italy, such efforts remain rare.
In Trieste, where café culture has long thrived on conversation and intellectual exchange, the quiet invasion of digital habits is particularly striking. “It’s not unusual now to see people sitting together, each absorbed in their own phone,” says one local barista. “The atmosphere has changed.”
The region has not yet seen formal “offline clubs” or digital-free zones, but the idea is starting to resonate—especially among educators, mental health professionals, and young people seeking balance. Some schools in Friuli Venezia Giulia have begun experimenting with phone-free periods during the day, and there are calls for more public spaces that encourage real-world interaction.
As screen time becomes more ingrained in everyday routines, many are beginning to ask whether it’s time to hit pause—and whether a culture known for its depth and reflection can help lead the way back to presence.
