Smartphone play takes the fun out of leisure time

If you are always connected to your phone, your leisure time may not be enhanced. However, disconnecting for short periods of time to do fun stuff is likely to be beneficial, says expert. - AFP

Smartphones supply endless possibilities for entertainment, but a new study shows they can diminish the quality of users' time away from work or school.

"The high-frequency cell phone user may not have the leisure skills necessary to creatively fill their free time with intrinsically rewarding activities," says Dr Andrew Lepp of Kent State University. "For such people, the ever-present smartphone may provide an easy, but less satisfying and more stressful, means of filling their time."

Those who used their smartphones a lot experienced more stress and anxiety during their leisure time, says study. – Shutterstock