Would You Rather Give Up Sex or Your Smartphone?

They're both great. But if you had to choose, would you connect to WiFi or a warm body?
by Zahra Barnes

Getty Images
Getty Images

In some surprising news, 26% of Americans surveyed in a Harris Interactive poll can't live without their cell phones, while only 20% said there's no way they'd survive without sex. Wait--what?!

As our world continues to modernize, love and tech will only continue to butt heads. Here's how to keep a technological faux pas from getting in the way of your love game.


Turn off your phone when you're on a date: Or at the very least, wait until you're in the bathroom to see if you have any new texts. "If you're out on a date, don't leave your phone on the table," says April Beyer, a matchmaker and relationship coach. It sends the signal that you're not 100% invested in sharing the moment, so best to stash your cell in your purse for the night.

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Use technology for good, not evil: "Find a way to tech-connect that is meaningful to both you and your partner," suggests Robert Weiss, author of Closer Together, Further Apart. Weiss suggests sending adorable texts throughout the day or finding a game the two of you can play even when you're apart. Involving the person you love in your tech life means they're less likely to see your phone as the enemy.

Kick the TV out of the bedroom: A TV in your room can be one of the biggest relationship buzzkills. It gets you into a routine of zoning out then passing out, instead of being present with your partner. "Removing it will help you both sleep better" says Lauren Frances, relationship expert and the founder of the Institute of Romantic Research. Frances also notes that couples are more likely to have better overall bedroom communication when they're not distracted by a TV.

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No public displays of technology: "A new man can't approach you in public when you're lost in your mobile device," says Beyer. "You look too busy, distracted and unapproachable. It's equivalent to being in a conversation and no one wants to interrupt." Think about it in the reverse--would you want to hit on someone whose eyes are glued to a screen?

Institute a phone curfew: When you're living together, it's tempting to spend all night tapping away at your phone. "Make an agreement to not check texts and emails after certain times at night and before certain times in the morning, especially on weekends," recommends Frances. That phone-free time makes it easier to focus on each other sans distractions.

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