Resist interference

You too can resist interference from digital devices while socializing.

If you ever pop your head into a social environment like a café or restaurant, then you’re sure to see people fiddling with their phones when they’re meant to be chatting with the people right in front of them.

Even in these social situations, interference seemingly can’t be avoided.

However, with a little bit of effort, you can combat that. Once more, you have to target metacognition, boredom, anxiety and access to technology.

Let’s start with metacognition. You should be aware that mobile devices ruin relationships.

A 2013 study at the University of Essex showed that the mere fact that a phone was in the room was enough for two people to feel less close and less empathetic during conversation. The phone didn’t even have to be picked up or checked. Its presence reduced mutual trust and understanding.

Now, do you feel like you should put your phone away for a bit?

The most effective way to reduce accessibility to mobile devices is to simply put them down and not use them. Less drastically, you could make your bedroom or dining area “technology-free zones.”

It’s oh-so-easy to reach for your phone when you’re bored. This means you should reduce your boredom – try to actively make sure that everyone is engaged in the conversation you’re having. That way, you won’t miss out on anything interesting or titillating that gets brought up – even at family dinner time!

Finally, just as when you’re commuting, telling people your schedule will reduce your anxiety that you might be missing out. If they know that you eat between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., they’ll just call you later or earlier. There's really nothing to fear.

There’s no doubt that modern technology can help us in our lives. But too much can be detrimental. Use its power in moderation and, as the old saying goes, “nothing in excess!"