Smartphone Etiquette

They're all around you. They're on the bus. They're in the local grocery store. At the little league ballpark. In your Doctor's office. At the table next to you in your favorite restaurant. Driving in the next lane. They're smart phone addicts, and they're everywhere. WebMD shares 

"According to a 2012 survey by the Pew Research Center, 46% of all American adults now own a smartphone -- up a whopping 25% from 2011...According to a 2011 study published in the journal Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, people aren't addicted to smartphones themselves as much as they are addicted to "checking habits" that develop with phone use -- including repeatedly (and very quickly) checking for news updates, emails, or social media connections. 

That study found that certain environmental triggers -- like being bored or listening to a lecture -- trigger the habits. And while the average user checks his or her smartphone 35 times a day -- for about 30 seconds each time, when the information rewards are greater (e.g., having contact info linked to the contact's whereabouts), users check even more often."

Regardless of your addiction status, you may want to consider eliminating or limiting the following habits:

• Any cell phone use while driving. This includes as a music player, navigation device or just checking at traffic stops. Yes, our devices are multifunctional conveniences, that doesn't mean you're not going to be tempted to check a Facebook notification while your music is playing during your drive.
• Using your device at the dinner table. Relationships require consistent care. The conversations you're missing (or half paying attention to) could make all the difference. They will appreciate the effort and return the favor! If the temptation is too grand, consider making it a competitive game: place all of your phones in the center of the table. The first person to reach for theirs pays the bill!
  
• Using your phone, tablet or laptop at bedtime. The New York Times shares "Increasingly, researchers are finding that artificial light from some devices at night may tinker with brain chemicals that promote sleep. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute showed that exposure to light from computer tablets significantly lowered levels of the hormone melatonin, which regulates our internal clocks and plays a role in the sleep cycle."
• Not cleaning your phone or case. Think about it: how often do you touch your phone? How often do you drop it on the ground, hand it to your child, set it on the bathroom counter, and still press it to your face? For information on how to clean your dirtiest appliances: http://www.today.com/home/find-out-how-clean-your-cell-phone-other-dirty-gadgets-2D79591843
• Not spending time with your loved ones. Consistent notification checking or playing games like Candy Crush Saga can distract your focus. Consider making a commitment to allot at least a half hour of electronic-free time a day to nurture your most cherished relationships. 
  

Smartphone distracted lovers by street artist, Banksy.