Can’t Resist Scrolling? Moving Your Phone Away Might Not Help
We’ve all been there—trying to focus on work, only to find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through our phones. The obvious fix? Keep your phone out of reach. But new research suggests this might not be the solution we hoped for.
Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind
Maxi Heitmayer, a researcher at the London School of Economics, has studied smartphone habits and found that people check their devices roughly every five minutes. Some try drastic measures to resist temptation—turning their phone face down, hiding it under a notebook, or even tossing it behind them. But does distance really help?
To find out, Heitmayer observed 22 university students and office workers (ages 22–31) as they worked on laptops in a controlled setting. On one day, participants kept their phones within arm’s reach. On another, they placed their phones 1.5 metres away—forcing them to stand up to check notifications.
The Surprising Results
When phones were nearby, participants spent an average of 23 minutes on leisure activities (like scrolling social media). When their phones were farther away, that time dropped to 16 minutes. But here’s the catch: they didn’t work more. Instead, they simply shifted their scrolling to their laptops, spending extra time on social media there.
“You might use your phone less, but that endless scrolling just moves to your laptop,” says Heitmayer.
Is It Really About the Device?
According to Daantje Derks, a researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the problem isn’t the phone itself—it’s the underlying habit of seeking distractions, whether through social media, games, or other online activities.
However, Derks notes that real-world behavior might differ. “This was a lab study—people usually have coworkers around, meetings, and other distractions that could change how they use their devices.” Larger studies in natural work environments are needed to confirm these findings.
The Bottom Line
Moving your phone away might reduce screen time—but if you’re prone to distractions, you’ll likely just find another way to procrastinate. The real challenge? Breaking the habit itself.
What’s your go-to method for staying focused? Let us know in the comments!
(Source: Adapted from original research findings. Copyright-free, rewritten for clarity and engagement.)