We are addicted to our phones, and probably, if someone says otherwise, they’re lying. How many times have we been having a coffee with a friend and they check their phone every thirty seconds, scrolling through memes or ignoring what we’re saying? But let’s be honest, we all do it. It’s hard to talk to someone who’s paying more attention to their phone than to you and tells you “keep going” while keeping their eyes glued to the screen, and then, when they finally look up, they have no idea what to say because they weren’t listening. So now what?
That’s why a lot of people are starting to place their phone face down. It might seem silly, but this simple gesture can make the other person feel like you’re paying attention (or like you’re cheating and don’t want your notifications seen, that happens too). But such a silly gesture seems key at a time in our lives when the notifications never stop. Disconnecting for a moment to take care of our personal relationships, don’t you think that matters?
What does turning your phone over mean when you’re with someone?
Putting your phone face down is a sign of respect toward others. You don’t interrupt conversations with screen flashes or give the impression that you’re waiting for something more interesting, after all, is there anything better than looking someone in the eyes when they’re telling you something? Whether they’re excited or going through a rough patch, personal relationships are based on attention and active listening. And if you interrupt that every time your screen lights up with a TikTok notification…
Improve your communication with others
Beyond the fact that not checking your phone every five minutes helps save battery (because you’re not constantly using it) and can protect your screen (especially if you’re clumsy and eat over your laptop or spill drinks), we’re not here to talk about how you take care of your phone, but about how you take care of your personal relationships.
We like eye contact. It builds empathy and strengthens personal bonds. Prioritizing the person in front of you isn’t just a detail, it’s showing respect. There’s always time to check your phone, but you never know how much time you have left with the people around you.
Fewer temptations, more control
When the screen is out of sight, it’s easier to ignore. Have you ever been having such a good time that you forgot the time, your phone, everything? Well, this trick helps with that! It fights doomscrolling (endlessly scrolling through the depths of social media without realizing how much time we’ve lost). By visually limiting access to the content, the urge to check it every two minutes decreases, and that benefits everyone.
We’re not trying to demonize phones, especially since we admit we’re also part of the problem and this happens to us too, but these are useful and powerful tools we can use to become better people.
A simple gesture, placing your phone face down, means so much more for us as humans. Do you know how much the person in front of you might appreciate not even seeing your phone on the table? Technology has stolen control of everything: our attention, the way we connect with others… but it shouldn’t steal a coffee afternoon with our friends, a date with our crush, or the most important things we have as human beings: tenderness and empathy! Maybe we can’t change the hyperconnected era we live in, but we can choose how we want to live in it! So, remember, put your phone face down and enjoy your company 😉