Overuse of smartphones can cause many conflicts in life. PHOTO: AFP

Today, many people use their phones to stay in touch with family and friends as well as their loved ones. Many couples regularly use phone and online messaging to strengthen their relationships: 8 in 10 people often keep in touch online with their partner when they are apart and 62% agree that communicating via phone and internet helps them feel closer to each other, especially for those in long-distance relationships (75%).

Digital adoption is also linked to shared devices, with 53% saying their relationship has improved since sharing online activities, such as sharing accounts and phones. While there are many positives to mobile phone use, there are also some negatives that need to be considered.

Research shows that phone use can also lead to arguments between couples over a range of related issues such as phone abuse and cybersecurity incidents.

For example, 51% of couples argue about the devices they use during meals or conversations. Additionally, 55% argue with their partner about spending too much time on their phone, compared to 49% of couples who are dating but not living together (58%). This suggests that they don’t like feeling left out and want their partner to always be there for them when they’re together.

But excessive phone use isn’t the only cause of discord. Logging in to devices, for example, is also a source of conflict in relationships. In fact, nearly 24% of couples argue after their partner’s phone gets infected with malware, and 19% blame each other after the other loses money online due to negligence or malware.

It can be seen that couples who share phones often argue about the issues mentioned above, so in modern relationships, devices are sometimes "friends" but can also be "enemies".

The study, conducted by Kaspersky and analytics firm Toluna in January 2018, was based on a survey of 18,000 people in 18 countries. The survey participants were all over 18 years old and in a relationship of more than 6 months.