Eating regularly with their families is something that fewer and fewer people find time to do. With conflicting schedules, extra-curricular activities and longer working hours, it can be impossible for some families to sit around the table together once a week. When we do finally get the chance to share a meal together, we're often left vying for our loved ones' attention as they check their mobile phones or other electronic devices. It's no wonder that some people have felt the need to impose mobile phone bans at their dinner tables, dinner parties and social gatherings. And now one fast-food chain has taken this a step further.

Chick-fil-A is rewarding customers who refrain from using their mobiles during their meals with free ice cream. Patrons who want to take part have to place their phones, on silent, in a "cellphone coop" at the end of their table until they've finished their meal. It may seem like a drastic measure to get people to take a technology timeout but with the increased frequency we use our mobile phones in social settings, it makes perfect sense.

The American restaurant is making an effort to reduce the distractions at the dinner table and encourage families to spend more meaningful moments together. Brad Williams, the Chick-fil-A employee who came up with the idea, said: "We really want our restaurant to provide a sense of community for our customers, where family and friends can come together and share quality time with one another."

The scheme has so far been described as a success and is currently running in more than 150 Chick-fil-A outlets across America.

Williams added: "The challenge has completely taken off. We have families who aren't successful the first time and come back to try again. We even have people asking to take the boxes home with them."

The reception that the scheme has received highlights how common the issue of technological distractions during social interactions is. We could all insert a technology timeout into our days so that we can be more present in the moments that we share with our friends and families. Putting our phones away while we eat is the perfect time to take a mini break from technology. Maybe a homemade 'cellphone coop' is something to consider if mobile phones are getting all the attention at your dinner table.