The Impact of Smartphone Technology Use on Adults’ Face-to-Face Relationships

Hewitt, Sophia A. (2019) The Impact of Smartphone Technology Use on Adults’ Face-to-Face Relationships. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The impact of smartphone technology use on adults’ face-to-face relationships is poorly understood. The current study examined how emerging and older adults use smartphone technology in Canada (i.e., frequency and dependency) and compared the impact of smartphone technology use on their face-to-face relationships with friends, a family member, and a romantic partner. Participants included 426 adults aged 18 to 73 (M = 28.54, SD = 13.27; 79.7% females). For all analyses, two age groups were created; emerging adults ages 18 to 25 (n = 230) and older adults ages 40 and above (n = 72). Emerging adults reported greater use of and dependency on smartphone technology compared to older adults. However, an inability to control one’s smartphone technology use predicted poorer face-to-face relationships with friends, a family member, and a romantic partner for both emerging and older adults. Perceptions that smartphone communication was more enjoyable than offline relations were associated with poorer relationships with a family member for older adults only. Educational efforts and tracking software may help adults to recognize how they are using technology and recognize how it may negatively impact their faceto- face relationships.

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