Smartphones shape our social lives in unexpected ways, sometimes subtly cutting into our sense of connection. A recent study took a close look at how phones influence well-being across everyday situations—meals, waiting rooms, moments with friends and family, and even time spent finding directions. Across these, the research found that while phones help us stay connected to the world, they often disrupt the immediate connections with the people around us. This effect is strongest when phones pop up in social settings, especially for men, who seem to experience a threefold increase in feeling socially disconnected compared to women.
Why the difference? It may come down to habits and norms. Women, according to the study, often use their phones in ways that keep them linked to others—texting a friend, sharing a photo, or a quick update on social media. Men, on the other hand, may use their phones less deliberately in social situations, which can interrupt the flow of interaction, making them feel further apart. This gender difference is a key piece the study highlights, though researchers note that more exploration is needed to truly understand it.
The study was no small feat—it analyzed data from eight experiments with over 1,700 participants, each designed to bring out the nuanced ways phones impact social connection. The settings ranged widely: a friendly lunch, a room of strangers waiting in silence, or even moments when participants navigated new spaces. By comparing those allowed phone use to those asked to set them aside, researchers found that phones consistently diminished a feeling of closeness during shared experiences. However, if the phone was only used for practical reasons, like finding directions, the impact on well-being was minimal. This “when and how” factor of phone use could explain a lot about our social experiences.
Still, there are limitations. Most participants came from similar backgrounds—students and parents from British Columbia—leaving open questions about how different age groups or cultures might experience these effects. Plus, the study didn’t dive into specific phone activities. Future research could look at how various types of phone use—checking social media, replying to messages, or navigating apps—differently affect well-being and social connectedness.
The takeaway? Phones may support our social lives from afar, but the closer we are to others, the more they can interfere. This new study sheds light on what’s often an unseen influence, helping us understand how our constant connectivity could be quietly shaping our relationships.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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Why the difference? It may come down to habits and norms. Women, according to the study, often use their phones in ways that keep them linked to others—texting a friend, sharing a photo, or a quick update on social media. Men, on the other hand, may use their phones less deliberately in social situations, which can interrupt the flow of interaction, making them feel further apart. This gender difference is a key piece the study highlights, though researchers note that more exploration is needed to truly understand it.
The study was no small feat—it analyzed data from eight experiments with over 1,700 participants, each designed to bring out the nuanced ways phones impact social connection. The settings ranged widely: a friendly lunch, a room of strangers waiting in silence, or even moments when participants navigated new spaces. By comparing those allowed phone use to those asked to set them aside, researchers found that phones consistently diminished a feeling of closeness during shared experiences. However, if the phone was only used for practical reasons, like finding directions, the impact on well-being was minimal. This “when and how” factor of phone use could explain a lot about our social experiences.
Still, there are limitations. Most participants came from similar backgrounds—students and parents from British Columbia—leaving open questions about how different age groups or cultures might experience these effects. Plus, the study didn’t dive into specific phone activities. Future research could look at how various types of phone use—checking social media, replying to messages, or navigating apps—differently affect well-being and social connectedness.
The takeaway? Phones may support our social lives from afar, but the closer we are to others, the more they can interfere. This new study sheds light on what’s often an unseen influence, helping us understand how our constant connectivity could be quietly shaping our relationships.
Read next: TikTok Takes the Lead: Gen-Z's Go-To Source for News and Product Discovery
