Digital Smarts - Are “Gadget Free” Zones Key to Happier Relationships?

In a study published this year, Pew Research found that 25 percent of cellphone users in a relationship believe their partner was distracted by their cell phone when they were together, and eight percent said they had argued about how much time one party spends online. Other studies have found that texting too much within a relationship could leave partners very dissatisfied with their overall communication, and that paying too much attention to a cellphone could ruin relationships with loved ones and friends. All of these studies suggest the need for limiting when and how much time is spent using devices. Creating “gadget free zones” could be a solution by designating a space where you don’t have to worry about technology interruptions, such as in the bedroom or dining room.