Technoference: Technology Creating Problems with Interference in Relationships

In the growing digital world, technology has embedded into daily life of everyone. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, multimodal devices, and social media have revolutionized the way people interact.[1] Phones are carried with oneself all the time, are kept on always, and considered part of private space and instrument. There are several features and characteristics of these phones which help us; however, technology has created problems too. Technoference is when technological devices interferes/intrudes/interrupts in communication and interaction in daily life.[2] The dictionary meaning is any negative effect imposed on an interpersonal relationship by the intrusive use of technology. Phubbing (Phone subbing) – It is an act of ignoring someone in a social setting while focusing on gadget instead of engaging in conversation. While, phubbing is more deliberate in nature, technoference is more unintentional act. The situation was earlier described Gerjen KJ as “absent presence”; referring to an individual being physically present but being distracted by communication or mobile content.[3] The human interactions between partners, parent – child, teacher – student, social communications, meeting relatives, in gatherings, in office among colleagues or at home; communications are reducing or being interrupted in a significant way. The problems are more stark for the younger population. In a US study among parents with young children revealed that even low and seemingly normative amounts of technoference in parents was associated with greater child behavior problems.[1] Results of a study from Pakistan indicated that parental and adolescent technoference was positively correlated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in adolescents, while negatively correlated with prosocial behavior. A strong association between parental and adolescent technoference was observed, which shows that the issue of technoference needs to be handled at an early stage and at family level.[4] A few scales used to measure technoference are the Technology Device Interference Scale, the Technology Interference in Life Examples Scale, the Parent Technoference Scale, and Adolescent/Parent adapted scales. A simple way is to reduce the smartphone use; however, it is easier said than done. Children need to be taught in schools about the right use of gadgets and healthy communication styles and habits. Parents need to give attention to their children and quality time. Prioritize the relationship/interaction over the gadgets, set a boundary for oneself, and have some gadget-free time for everyone in the family. Neeraj et al. consider technoference as an important factor of relational psychiatry[5] and studied the strategies to mitigate technoference in a qualitative study and reported that having a technology-free zone, scheduling digital detox days, using screen time tracking apps, and forming technology-free agreements will be beneficial.[6] All health professionals should be aware of technoference as it can influence doctor–patient relationship negatively.