Is using social media at the table bad?

Using social networks and smartphones at the table is now common among adults and children: a habit that involves risks.

With today's technology, social media is an inevitable part of our daily lives. It's not uncommon to see people on the phone at the table. Whether they're checking social media notifications, texting their friends, or checking emails, phones seem to be a regular guest at mealtimes. Recent studies have shown that it is a habit not only of the youngest and of the boys. As reported by AdnKronos , recent research has shown that over 70% of Italian adults have admitted to using social media while at the table. But is being connected even while eating really a bad habit ? Does it have any contraindications on our health?

Is using social media at the table really bad?

While having phones at the dinner table while we're busy with our family at breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be distracting and interrupt conversations, you might be surprised that it has benefits, too. Keeping your phone close at hand can in fact provide an overview of what interests each person, as well as provide talking points to explore during the meal.

The biggest problem with using social media at the dinner table is that it's a huge distraction . If you use them it can be hard to tell when it's time to put your phone away and interact with the people around you. Plus, it might be hard to stay engaged in the conversations in the room as you scroll through your news feed.

Obviously, it must be emphasized that surfing social networks while at the table is not always wrong, but that it must not become a symptom of an addiction . Taking a few moments to read the news or update your status can lead to meaningful discussions, too. Just remember to be mindful of the amount of time you spend on your phone, and make sure it doesn't start replacing your phone with your familiar conversations.

How to fight smartphone addiction

We all know how easy it can be to become addicted to social media. With new content being generated every minute and notifications popping up everywhere, it can be hard to resist the temptation to fall into the trap of compulsive surfing. But there's good news: It's possible to fight a social media addiction. Here are some tips to do it.

First set a time limit that is strict. Pick a goal and stick to it. Doing this will help give you more awareness of how much time you're spending on social media and make it easier for you to break the habit. If you can, disable notifications as well. Whenever you feel the need to check your accounts every few minutes, turn off notifications so you don't get constant reminders of what's happening on the platform.

If you're obsessed with social media, take a break for a few hours, a full day, or even several days. This will give you the opportunity to reset your habits and understand how to better manage your time. You can also use this time to focus on other activities and interests, allowing you to find a better balance between your online and offline life.

Finally, great help can come from others. Try to get help from a responsible person who talks to you when you feel you have become addicted to social media and who engages you in conversations that make you feel less tempted to take your smartphone in your hands.

While it might be difficult at first, cutting back on social media use can help you improve your mental and physical health in the long run, and also improve your relationships while you're at the dinner table. So it's definitely worth it.