- Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada surveyed 300 people on their happiness levels
- They asked half the participants to have their phone on the table during a meal
- Those who had their phone out were reportedly distracted and less happy
- Experts recommend people to put away their phones during social interactions
Using your cell phone at the table can make you unhappy and distract you from who you are with, a study revealed.
A recent PEW study surveyed people and found 90 percent said they used their cell phone during their most recent social interaction.
Constantly checking a cell phone during a meal can prevent someone from focusing on their primary activity.
Experts warn this reliance on staying connected through a cell phone can actually hinder someone’s happiness and prevent them from enjoying their meal with family or friends.
During a study of 300 people, researchers found that people who didn’t use their phones at the table were reportedly happier than those who did. Experts recommend people to put away their mobile devices when they are having social interactions (stock photo)
Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, asked 300 people to eat at a restaurant with friends or family.
Participants were randomly asked to keep their cell phones on the table or to put them away during the entire meal.
Everyone was then surveyed on iPads and asked if they felt more distracted with or without their phones on the table.
The questionnaire included information about connectedness and boredom during the meal and happiness level.
Researchers found that people tended to enjoy their meal left if their phone was on the table because it served as a distraction.
The people who had their phones on the table experienced a dip in pleasure and were on the devices for an average of 11 percent of the social engagement.
The second part of the study analyzed peoples face-to-face social engagements with an individual person.
This study had 100 participants who were texted five times a day for an entire week.
The text messages would ask participants to describe their emotional state at that moment and what they had been doing 15 minutes prior.
Participants who were speaking with someone one-on-one without of their phone were reportedly happier than those who were on their mobile device.
Cell phones have become a prominent fixture in society to stay connected around the globe, but experts recommend putting the device down during social interactions to help with happiness levels.