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Phone Addiction And Face Interaction Skills

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Abstract Most American adults have a cell phone. With these phones, we are able to communicate with people without needing to physically be in the same vicinity. But, this component of cell phones can bring about consequences such as dependency and possibly reduced social skill when confronted with a face-to-face interaction. A total of 32 college students were studied to find the association between phone addiction and face-to-face interaction skills. There was a non-significant correlation r(32) =-.16, p>.05 between the two variables. This indicates that phone addiction is not associated with face-to-face interaction skills, suggesting that phone addiction does not influence a person’s interaction skills. Further research needs to be …show more content…

We are rarely seen without our phones, and even rarer, without a phone to call our own. A survey conducted by PewResearch (2014) suggests that 90% of American adults have a cell phone and 29% say they can’t imagine living without one. Walsh, White, and Young (2009) have predicted that the need to connect to peers and the need to belong contribute to the use of mobile phones. The feeling of connectedness is seen as a benefit to cell phone users because it allows them to interact with family and friends and share experiences from anywhere in the world. Przybylski and Weinstein (2013) state that phones are a gateway to interpersonal closeness because they connect people to the social world. People are able to escape reality and dive into a temporary place where they are not preoccupied with their own thoughts. Cell phones are a tool which can pull people together through social media, texting, calling, and games. They fulfill people’s needs and strengthen relationships. When people use their phones to connect to others, they feel a sense of belonging, which can enhance self-esteem (Walsh et al., 2009). However, using a phone can also become a habit. Lee, Chang, Lin, and Cheng (2014) indicate that repeatedly checking one’s phone without an apparent reason can become a habit, which can transform into a compulsion or reliance upon the

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