Millions of people worldwide are experiencing what a developmental psychologist calls an 'intimacy famine', as modern life and technological innovation reduce opportunities for deep, meaningful connections. The pandemic has worsened this trend, pushing many further into online worlds and away from in-person interactions.
Research shows that people often choose to interact with their phones over human partners, causing conflict and jealousy in relationships. A 2019 daily diary study found that 72% of couples reported 'technoference'—technology interference—in their interactions over two weeks. On days with more technoference, couples reported more conflict over technology, less positive face-to-face interactions, and more negative moods and feelings about their relationships.
The psychologist describes being 'in a relationship' with her phone, responding to its bids for attention much like she would to her husband or children. She notes that 53% of adults worldwide use social media, and that this constant connectivity comes at a cost to intimacy.
Experts warn that these small daily interruptions can erode relationship satisfaction and compromise intimacy. They advise couples to be mindful of phone use and prioritise face-to-face interactions to maintain healthy relationships.
