uniladtech homepage
  • News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Bedtime habit 'parallel scrolling' could be killing your relationship

Home> News> Tech News

Published 12:46 15 May 2024 GMT+1

Bedtime habit 'parallel scrolling' could be killing your relationship

Getting sucked into your phone could have some real-world effects.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: AntonioGuillem/AJ_Watt/Getty
Tech News
Tech tips
Smartphone
iPhone
Gadgets

Advert

Advert

Advert

We all know that paying attention to your phone instead of your romantic partner isn't a great plan if you want your relationship to last - but it's so widespread, there's actually a phrase for it.

'Parallel scrolling', as it's been called, is the name for any situation where both people in a relationship are using their phones at the same time, essentially ignoring each other in order to just scroll through social media apps like TikTok or Instagram.

It's not a new problem, either - back in 2017, a study from Baylor University revealed that 70% of respondents thought their phones interfered with their interactions with partners 'sometimes', 'often', 'very often' or 'all the time'.

Sergey Mironov / Getty
Sergey Mironov / Getty

Advert

That means the majority of us think phones get in the way more than they should, which probably doesn't come as a huge surprise.

After all, even if you're not in a relationship you'll know that it can be way too tempting to check your phone before you go to bed, or first thing when you wake up in the morning- even if you're well aware this isn't the greatest thing to do for your mental health.

Couples and family therapist Tracy Ross told the Huffington Post last month: "Many of the couples I work with complain that their partner is constantly on their phone, distracted, and that it’s hard to get their attention."

But sometimes both parties have the issue: "Parallel scrolling - or just generally being on your phone - prevents the sharing of experiences, feelings and worries, creating more separateness, which is the opposite of connection," she added.

Luis Alvarez / Getty
Luis Alvarez / Getty

In good news, there are quite a lot of ways that people can avoid the risk of parallel scrolling - including learning some discipline where phones are concerned.

One huge change that can help is charging your phones in a different room to where you sleep.

This might mean that you need a physical alarm clock (which is useful since phone alarms aren't always reliable in the first place) but it should help you avoid the risk of scrolling on your phone when you could be spending time with your partner.

Part of this process should involve working out a bedtime routine that works for both of you, too, so that one person isn't left staying up on their phone while the other tries to sleep.

It's a two-sided process, but if you can banish parallel scrolling you're likely to reap the rewards.

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Mamdani refuses to attend 'Bezos Met Gala' as protestors demand boycott over Amazon billionaire

    Jeff Bezos and wife are sponsors and honorary chairs of this year's Met Gala

    News
  • Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    X users speculate meaning behind golden bell gifted to Trump from King Charles that only Brits will understand

    King Charles spent this past week visiting with Trump at the White House

    News
  • Warner Bros. TV / Contributor via Getty
    11 hours ago

    TikTok star Noah Beck's mom suspended from job over explicit video with son resurfacing

    It comes shortly after his sister was terminated from her job for supposedly 'grooming' a student

    News
  • Bloomberg / Contributor via Getty
    11 hours ago

    Bryan Johnson makes 'unhinged' post revealing his partner's vaginal data with intimate tweet about sex life

    The biohacker has previously shared a detailed 11-step sex routine

    Science
  • Vacationers swear by mini Apple product that works 'flawlessly' with iPhone app while traveling
  • Health experts warn over the dangers of phubbing in your relationship
  • Warning to millions of iPhone and Android users over controversial porn ban
  • iPhone users in disbelief at update that blocks FaceTime calls as soon as someone does this x-rated act