Smartphones drain cognitive focus even when switched off

Smartphones impair cognitive performance even when they are powered down, as the brain consumes energy to avoid checking the device. In an experiment involving nearly 800 participants, researchers found that the mere presence of a phone, regardless of its power state, correlates with lower scores on working memory and fluid intelligence tests (Before It Breaks). Even when a phone remains untouched, a single notification triggers attention-task errors comparable to the effect of active use (Before It Breaks). To preserve focus during demanding tasks, storing the device in a bag or out of sight removes the visual cue that triggers this constant monitoring effort.

• Limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily for three weeks reduced loneliness and depression in a randomized study of undergraduates (Before It Breaks).
• Charging phones outside the bedroom prevents late-night texting, which correlates with improved sleep efficiency and reduced daytime dysfunction in 844 adults (Before It Breaks).
• College professors across the United States are increasingly banning laptops in classrooms to improve student learning outcomes (Yascha Mounk).