11 Signs Turning Off Your Phone And Tablet Could Do Wonders For Your Relationship

11 Signs You Should Turn Off Your Phone (For The Sake Of Your Relationship)
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If you pay your phone more attention than your other half, then it might be time to step back and assess the damage it might have on your love life.

For a while now it's been disputed that technology could heavily influence relationships.

Last year, an article by senior researcher at Brighton University, Paul Levy, confirmed the worst: technology is destroying real intimacy in our relationships, diluting romance and it's very bad news.

Research published just this week by Ofcom shows just how serious the issue is becoming. A survey found half of adults are "completely hooked" to their smartphones. *Gulps*

And it's not just loving relationships between partners that are at stake. Kids are ignoring their grandparents because they'd rather spend time on the iPad, Facebook is causing unnecessary mistrust between lovers and smartphones are single handedly scuppering sex lives.

Relationships are suffering and it has to stop. As Levy said: "Technology can be a beautiful way to keep in touch, but it should be an addition, not a replacement, to real relationships."

Without further ado, here are 11 signs that you need to switch it off.

You check Facebook every morning, but can't remember the last time you kissed your partner good morning... Or goodnight for that matter. Actually, when was the last time you kissed?

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You can't sit through a romantic meal without checking your phone. (And yes, Instagramming your food counts.)

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You think you don't need to ask your other half how they are because you can monitor their status updates and tweets.

You spend more time playing Football Manager, Candy Crush and {insert annoying phone game here} than you do speaking to your significant other.

Your partner has aired their annoyance (at least once) about your love affair with tech.

You get overly emotional if your partner (or anyone for that matter) reads your Whatsapp messages but doesn't respond straight away.

Serious conversations are interrupted by the constant chiming of your Facebook notifications.

You check your phone during sex.

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All your conversations are centred around what you've seen online.

When you're talking to your partner, and not checking your phone, you get serious social media FOMO.

You're reading this on your smartphone while your partner is sat opposite you looking bored.

Step away from the phone. It's for the best.

11 Ways Technology Has Changed Since We Were Kids
Passing notes has gotten a little easier... but gone is the thrill of covert note delivery(01 of11)
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(credit:Getty)
We've gone from the comfort of our cars... to the comfort of our pajamas(02 of11)
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(credit:Getty/flickr:stevegarfield)
Good thing you no longer have to lick your fingers before you flip the page...(03 of11)
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(credit:Getty/flickr:enda_001)
Road trips just aren't the same without getting lost or stopping to ask for directions...(04 of11)
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(credit:flickr: aperture_lag/jimmy_joe)
The world is at our fingertips... and we can bypass the mean librarian(05 of11)
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(credit:flickr: jasonvance)
No more running to get into the picture before the timer goes off... behold, the "selfie stick"(06 of11)
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(credit:Getty/Xshot)
We love taking all our music with us everywhere... but we miss the joy of hitting the rewind button(07 of11)
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(credit:Flickr: orin zebest/juliusrockt)
Sure, phone calls are more convenient... but now we walk around looking like we're talking to ourselves(08 of11)
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(credit:Flickr: nanocoder/Getty)
Gone are the days of looking through the classifieds...although you'll see some pretty strange stuff on Craigslist(09 of11)
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(credit:Getty/)
No, Abby couldn't help find the closest gas station... but Siri has her flaws too(10 of11)
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(credit:Flickr: raymacleon/photo giddy)
Who needs to send words when you can send selfies?(11 of11)
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(credit:Flickr: anna wilder/Getty)

This August we're running a Digital Detox campaign, where we're championing switching off, spending more time with our loved ones and being more mindful around technology. From inspirational interviews to how it can massively improve your life, we hope to inspire everyone to get out there and reconnect with the world. If you'd like to contribute or blog, email uklifestyle@huffingtonpost.com or tag us on social media using the hashtag #HPDigital Detox