As technology continues to become a larger part of people’s lives, it can start to have a negative effect on relationships as well. The time that was once used to discuss daily events, such as during dinner, or before bed, has now become time to check social media, scroll through comedy sites, and play mobile games. Smartphones have made life easier for people, but they are also creating a barrier between the user and the people around them, even with those closest to them. Couple’s counseling may be the solution if you are experiencing an issue in this area.
Negative Effects of Over-Using Our Devices
It may be easier to stay in touch with long distance friends, find the nearest restaurant, or look up needed information now that everyone has a smartphone, yet, relationships can quickly deteriorate because of the over use of these devices. Just some of the negative effects over-usage can cause are:
● Loss of communication – It can be hard to find intimacy in a relationship when a phone is continuously buzzing, trying to alert the owner of a new notification. Smartphones have become a constant distraction. This excessive phone use drives us away from one another for a more superficial and impersonal form of communication, completely striping away the bonding and intimacy needed for sincere and lasting relationships.
● Prioritizing the wrong types of communication – People have made a habit of treating every alert as an urgent message, which makes us feel like we need to check and reply immediately. Our digitalized communication can become more important than real life communication with the people around us.
● Anxiety – Phone usage can become addicting when over-used. When there may be a time we have to put down our phones for an hour, a half an hour, even five minutes, we feel anxious about missing something important. The relief that should be felt of putting your phone down and spending time with your significant other, for example, may become nonexistent.
● Personality changes – Relationships are and always will be a give and take, our devices throw off this balance. Dedicating so much time to technology can change the way we live our day-to-day lives, and can create a level of indifference towards the people and life happening around us.
This doesn’t mean that you need to throw away your devices in order to have a happy and fulfilling relationship, but take note of how your time spent on technology can affect the relationships with the people you care about. If you feel that over-using technology is affecting your relationship with a spouse or significant other, don’t hesitate to contact me today!
