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 regularly keep in touch with their partner online when they are apart, and 62% agree that communicating via phone and the 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 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 devices used during meals or conversations. Additionally, 55% argue with their partner about spending too much time on their phone, compared to 58% of couples who live together (49%). 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 too much 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 have argued after their partner’s phone was infected with malware, and 19% have blamed each other after their partner lost money online due to carelessness 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 company Toluna in January 2018, was based on a survey of 18,000 people in 18 countries. The survey participants were all over the age of 18 and in a relationship of more than 6 months.