Researchers warn: Smartphones don t belong on the table

Our smartphones do not belong on the table: One study speaks of "significant effects" on cognitive performance. It is said that the problem should not arise when placed in the pocket.

Cell phone on the table is a distraction

Smartphones are so important to many people that we basically always want to have them within reach. What could be more natural than simply placing the cell phone on the table next to us? What sounds like a comparatively harmless activity can actually have serious consequences. Researchers at the University of Texas have found that keeping a smartphone within reach can have a significant impact on brain performance , even when the phone is turned off. How can that be?

In a study with 800 subjects, experiments were carried out in which the participants were each divided into three groups. The aim was to investigate how the location of the smartphone affects the performance of the subjects' brains. Participants in the first group put their cell phone next to them on the table, the second group put their phone in their backpack and out of sight, the third group immediately moved their cell phone to another room. Then the researchers started a test in which the cognitive abilities were checked - and the result was surprisingly clear, as Computer Bild writes.

Participants in the group who had their cell phones in another room performed significantly better in the test than participants in the other groups. However, differences between the other two groups (cell phone on the table or cell phone in the pocket) could not be determined. It is also irrelevant whether the smartphone is switched on or off or whether the display is pointing up or down.

How to control your smartphone usage:

Cell phone nearby: cognitive performance decreases

According to the scientists at the University of Texas, the mere possibility of being able to theoretically use a cell phone is enough to temporarily reduce the performance of the brain. Some cognitive performance would be wasted not being distracted by the cell phone. Only when the smartphone is not in range or sight can the brain really "switch off" and concentrate on the task at hand.

Even if this is just a single study that has not yet been reproduced by other researchers, the clear results should at least be thought-provoking. It should be clear to every smartphone owner that we are easily distracted by the mobile phone. The fact that it is irrelevant whether the cell phone actually vibrates or is simply on the table or in the backpack is certainly an interesting finding.