If your last few dates haven’t gone so well, it could be because of your technology addiction. That’s right, kids, those omnipotent little boxes aren’t always miracle workers. They can immensely damage your ability to pull potential significant others and enjoy their company.

For one, it is incredibly rude to have your eyes glued to a screen instead of the person you are on a date with. You showed interest in him/her by consenting to this outing, and are now revoking that interest. They deserve your undivided attention, whether you think the date is going well or not. So don’t get your Nike socks in a twist when the date ends badly; chances are you were more of a Vine-watching statue than a companion with intellectual value.

Besides appearing impolite and uninterested, being on your phone can cause you to miss out on the great person in front of you. Use this time to get to know the person. Maybe he has the same hobbies as you. Maybe she wants to become president someday. Maybe he’s a serial killer. All of these are good things to know before agreeing to a second date (or calling the police). You can only have as much fun as you allow yourself to.

Overall, you and your date will both have a much better time without being leashed to your cell phones, so stop tweeting, texting, vine-ing and checking Skyward. I guarantee your teacher still hasn’t put in that grade from last January. Look away from the phone, and if your date has an axe, run.