It’s a familiar scene: as soon as we have a moment to wait—on the bus or in a line—we pull out our phones. Studies show that the average American checks their phone nearly 100 times a day, spending over five hours daily on screens. While browsing social media or checking sports scores might seem like harmless fun, a study from Berkeley Haas suggests it could have a downside for our social interactions.

In a unique experiment, researchers looked at how phone use affects trust between people. They brought groups of six students into a lab, allowing some to use their phones and asking others to put them away. After 20 minutes, the students paired up for a trust game where they could earn more money if they trusted each other to share fairly.

Building trust

The results were telling. Those who didn’t have their phones and talked with others were more likely to trust and share more money with their partners. The partners without phones also returned more money than those who had used their phones. The researchers believe this is because talking to others builds a sense of trust and connection.

“Trust is crucial in society,” the researchers noted. “Just making eye contact and smiling at someone can create a bond.”

While phones help us stay in touch with people far away, they can make us less likely to connect with those around us. People often use their phones in social situations because they’re bored, shy, or think others don’t want to talk. But the study suggests that putting away our phones can help us build trust and make our lives richer.

The findings could be applied in various settings. For instance, children might develop better social skills by not using phones during school or at camp. In the workplace, managers could foster team bonding by limiting phone use during orientations or meetings.

“Phones are incredibly useful,” the authors concluded, “but sometimes, it’s more valuable to have a conversation with the person next to you. You might find they’re interested in talking too.”