Phones can ruin relationships, research shows

MOBILE phones can damage your relationship even when they are switched off, according to research.

Two studies found that people felt less positive towards each other if a mobile was visible during a conversation.

Researchers at Essex University concluded that mobile phones encourage thoughts about wider social networks and reduce the level of empathy normally present in a face-to-face conversation.

“In both studies we found evidence that mobiles can have negative effects on closeness, connection, and conversation quality,” said researcher Andrew Przybylski.

The study concluded: “These results demonstrate that the presence of mobile phones can interfere with human relationships, an effect that is most clear when individuals are discussing personally meaningful topics.”