A UK study has found that people who couldn’t easily reach their smartphone still distracted themselves on their laptop instead. Researchers say it’s not devices that distract us, but how we’ve been trained to constantly check them.
The study, published in Frontiers in Computer Science, found that 89% of the time, people pick up their phone without a notification or sound. When the phone was out of reach, participants spent less time on the phone but made up for it by engaging in leisure activities on their laptop.
Experts say that smartphone apps train our brain to be distracted, and that our brains are being shaped by the numerous apps that battle for our attention. “The problem is not the device, but rather the overall habits that people have formed,” says Maxi Heitmeyer, a social psychologist at the London School of Economics.
To reduce digital distraction, experts agree that we need to change the way we’re using all devices. “Devices are all giving us the same experience, and so we need to change the way we’re using all devices,” says Mark Williams, a neuroscientist at Macquarie University.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of being mindful about our digital habits and educating users from a young age. By understanding how smartphones and other devices affect our brains, we can take steps to reduce distractions and improve our focus.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2025-03-30/smartphone-distraction-digital-devices-training-brain-focus/105093514