interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
As governments around the world tighten restrictions on children’s access to smartphones and social media, the debate over when young people should receive their first smartphone is gaining momentum in Italy.
While few countries have imposed a blanket legal ban on smartphone ownership for children under 14, many have introduced stricter rules on social media access and smartphone use in schools amid growing concerns over screen addiction, cyberbullying and the effects of excessive device use on children’s cognitive and emotional development.
The discussion gained renewed attention this week after Friuli Venezia Giulia Governor Massimiliano Fedriga suggested that children should not use smartphones until the age of 14. To gauge public opinion, InTrieste went into the streets of Trieste, the regional capital, to ask residents whether Italy should follow the example of other countries adopting tougher restrictions.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Fedriga argued that smartphones pose a greater risk than traditional gaming consoles because they are constantly within reach.
“What is mainly addictive is smartphones,” he said. “Having them always available—in the bedroom, when out and about—encourages the creation of addictions.”
Fedriga stressed that he is not opposed to technology, calling new digital tools “fundamental” and beneficial when used responsibly. However, he said children should be introduced to smartphones more gradually and use them consciously during their formative years.
The governor acknowledged that enforcing a legal ban would be difficult, describing the proposal instead as a message to families. He suggested that children could remain in contact with their parents through simpler devices, such as smartwatches, without unrestricted access to smartphones.
Fedriga also pointed to growing concerns over digital addiction, saying the issue is being monitored by a national task force on behavioral addictions. He urged parents to carefully consider the long-term effects of giving children smartphones at increasingly younger ages.
Whether Italy ultimately adopts stricter regulations remains uncertain, but the discussion reflects a broader international debate over how best to balance the benefits of digital technology with the well-being of children.
