The fall season has arrived with the holidays. For most people is means trying to find the time to spend with extended family and friends. It also keeps more people in doors spending time with their technology. Technology has crept into every aspect of our lives and the time spent on our phones is affecting our relationships.
Boundaries
A National Marriage Project from the University of Virginia call “Ifedility” found younger Americans raised with technology are putting their relationships at risk by having looser relationship boundaries online. The survey initiated involved 2,000 married, cohabitating and single individuals across the country and found that young men and women are the least committed in a relationship.
Assistant Professor David Schramm at Utah State University surveyed 631 parents from ages 21 to 60 and found 62% agree that technology has created problems in the family system. Over half of the marital partners felt that technology has affected their intimacy. Six out of ten parents were concerned about the influence technology has had on their children.
Results
Researchers stated that people who are unhappy in their relationships are more likely to look for romantic encounters online. The study results documented that the more you use your technology the less time you will spend as a couple and family. This will create less satisfaction in your relationships and increase your anxiety and depression symptoms.
Experts suggest that families set boundaries when they are on their computers and phones. There should be no technology at the dinner table or in the bedroom as it affects communication and time spent being intimate. Parents should spend time with their children playing games, sports and learning hobbies. Couples need to plan their date nights to nurture their relationship and keep their emotional connection strong. This winter make an effort to “unplug” from your technology and connect with each other.
