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The effects of this fallibility, however, is that it subjects individuals to a state where they cannot hold any meaningful face-to-face conversation. The cause of this relates to what many researchers term as one of the greatest challenges of communication over technological devices namely the existence of multiple communication channels that compel people to handle multiple conversations, which in turn inhibits their ability to pay particular attention to a specific person. The complexity associated with the attempt to engage in multiple interactions simultaneously jeopardizes the nature and quality of relationships we establish with the individual persons. Furthermore, the resulting perceived constant connection, which in reality is absent, makes people feel a lack of independence.

In another analysis, Fluckey (2015) contends that one of the major causes of relationship satisfaction issues and to an extent higher level of depression among romantic partners relates to phone usage, especially phone snubbing. Momentary distractions caused by cell phone usage, the author argues, tends to lower the significant other’s satisfaction with the relationship. Given the scope of the effects of such subtleties as phone snubbing on relationship and personal wellbeing, Fluckey encourages technology mindfulness noting that as opposed to replacing social interactions, technology should rather enhance it. As such, of greater importance is not the extent of use of the device but rather the need that affects the quality of relationship focus.

In a study designed to test whether smart phone use and dependency affect the health of romantic relationships, Lapierre and Lewis (2016) establish positive correlation between smart dependency and relationship uncertainty with a partner’s perceived smartphone dependency being a predictor of relationship satisfaction. The study also found that smartphone generally has no specific negative or positive effects on relational health. As opposed to the popular perception that actual use of cellphones has massive effects on relational health, psychological reliance on the devices alongside the need to stay in constant connection with the device are the elements that affect the quality of relationships.

Despite the abundance of information supporting the negative impacts of cellphone use on relational health, the need to understand the causal mechanisms that underlie such observations is a pertinent one. In fact, studies focusing on the extent of the effects of smartphone dependency on other aspects of life such as academic performance as well as the probable contribution of self-esteem levels to smartphone obsession and hence relationship problems are necessary. Specifically, while most studies have shown that negative impacts exist even after acknowledging the existence of positive contributions, the need to explain such fundamental elements as self esteem, which could be the primary precursor to the disparate schools of feedback obtained, ought to attract further investigation.

The fact that smartphones are fundamentally different from other communication technologies that have ever graced the human connection realm implies its influence is characteristically more powerful. Ranging from the inclination to seek other people’s attention to compromised face to face capabilities, momentary distractions that lead to lower relationship satisfaction to higher dependency that leads to psychological reliance, the negative impacts of cell phone usage on relational health have far much weight compared to whatever subtle benefits embedded therein. The virtual ability to sail down the river with friends and partners in tow offered by smartphone connectivity has not only replaced the essence of social interaction but has also compromised the quality thereof.

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