Nearly 50 percent of elementary and junior high school students are banned from using smartphones during mealtimes, while less than 20 percent are told not to watch TV while eating, according to a Norinchukin Bank survey.

"While watching TV during meals, which used to be regarded as bad manners, has become common, parents seem to remain reluctant about allowing their children to bring smartphones and cellphones to the dining table," said a bank official in charge of the survey.

The survey was conducted on 400 students — children in fourth grade and above in elementary school and those in junior high school — in the Tokyo metropolitan area in February and March. The survey, the third of its kind following ones conducted in 2004 and 2011, contained questions regarding their eating habits.

It found 48.5 percent said they were told not to talk over the phone or send emails at mealtimes, up 29.7 percentage points from 2004, and 16.8 percent were prohibited from watching TV during meals, compared with 15.3 percent in 2004.

Asked what they do during mealtimes, 79.8 percent said they watch TV, up 17.3 percentage points from 2004, 2.3 percent said they use mobile phones, up 0.5 percentage points form 2004, and 88 percent said they talk with their family, up 7.7 percentage points from 2004.