THE ESSENTIAL
- 72% of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 admit to having a toxic relationship with their mobile.
- Trouble sleeping, feelings of isolation, and persistent anxiety may indicate a phone addiction.
“The smartphone has become the most ubiquitous piece of personal technology, giving it social significance”wrote scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in a study published in the journal Societies. We use our phones to send messages, make purchases or take pictures, sometimes even in the presence of other people. But why can’t we resist the urge to check our cell phones when we’re with loved ones? To answer this question, the researchers observed 52 adults sitting in a cafe with other people.
The authors then asked them questions regarding their mobile phone use and their interactions with others. “We focused exclusively on adults who seemed to know each other before and saw each other to socialize,” said Marianne Skaar, author of the study. According to the work, the relationship between café customers and their smartphones is “organic”, that is to say, it evolves over the course of social interactions.
Why do we use our phone in the presence of other people?
From the results, the Norwegian researchers identified three reasons why some adults consult their cell phones in the presence of other people. Some of the participants explained that they glanced at their phones to browse social networks, check their email or respond to messages.
The second reason why the volunteers used their smartphone is to avoid a conversation with another person. An adult can pull out her phone to signal that she is busy or to pretend she needs to answer a call. Another reason: show or share photos or videos of their children or their recent trips. “This study offers a deeper and more detailed understanding of the social role of smartphone use,” concluded the scientists.
