Recent studies have shown that our constant attention to our smart devices, which serve to connect us at all times to everybody, are actually negatively affecting the most important form of relationships: the in-person connection.
One study found that merely having a cell phone in hand or nearby negatively affects many interactions, as the other person is watching for body-language cues that the person with the phone out is not really fully engaged in conversation.
A second study showed that if somebody actually uses their phone during an in-person encounter, it can be perceived as social rejection, with all the strong implications of that on the strength of the interpersonal connection.
https://www.thriveglobal.com/stories/47541-why-the-royals-are-almost-never-seen-holding-their-phones-and-how-science-says-we-can-benefit-from-their-habit?utm_source=Newsletter_General&utm_medium=Thrive&mc_cid=003868e252&mc_eid=7054af1a50