Why and how smartphones have become a problem in marriages

Website design By BotEap.comSmartphones have opened up a new portable world. We have immediate access to an infinite variety of information, as well as distractions in the form of applications, games, social networks and the Internet in general. Without a doubt, this type of technology has improved our lives in many ways. However, it’s becoming more and more of an issue in relationships and marriages, and it’s worth taking a look at the why and how to see what’s going on.

Website design By BotEap.comWhile smartphones, by design, can enhance communication in many ways (think how easy it is to call or text your spouse, video chat when you’re away, email, and more) , they can also make it difficult to communicate in a relationship. When one or both parties are always looking at their phone instead of having a conversation with whoever is in front of them, that’s a problem.

Website design By BotEap.comOr you have someone who is always half in and half out in terms of their attention, and is distracted from what they’re really doing and who they’re really with. This drop in communication also reduces the quality of time you have with your partner and could continue in a negative spiral.

Website design By BotEap.comThen there is the world of social media, which is increasingly recognized as unhealthy or counterproductive across a spectrum of areas, whether it be the emotional health of children and adolescents or facilitating the spread of toxic or false information. With marriages and relationships, the problem with social media may be in our tendency to compare ourselves to other people’s lives. Maybe another couple is always posting the vacation photo in the exotic place, or have their dream home or lifestyle, or whatever the case may be.

Website design By BotEap.comHowever, all this really does is make you feel worse about yourself or your own circumstances. Nor is it reality. What we see on social media is just a glimpse of another person, usually designed to show her at her best, and not her full daily life.

Website design By BotEap.comAnother area to consider is dating apps. One partner in a relationship might not dare to go to a bar and try to pick up someone so easily, but would risk playing with her smartphone. Even if the intent is just to “see what’s out there” or trying to get compliments or positive attention, it’s clearly still a problem. And it’s a slippery slope that could quickly spiral out of control, too. Also, keep in mind that dating app communications can be discovered in divorce cases and you may be forced to present those communications to the other party.

Website design By BotEap.comClearly, there are a lot of issues with smartphones and the way they impact our lives in terms of our marriages and relationships. If you feel like you have experienced this yourself, then you are far from alone. Maybe it’s something you can talk about with your partner, with your phones out of sight, of course.