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<blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 6325163" data-attributes="member: 177">There are a couple of issues that can arise with that, depending on the group.1) Policing issues.&nbsp; If you allow the tech, the temptation to sneak in some unrelated stuff will remain.&nbsp; And, as a practical matter, the GM won't notice it the first time or two, or three, which then invites more use (it is like speeding - you don't get caught every single time).&nbsp; Getting away with it sometimes increases the risk of recidivism.&nbsp; This can lead to a series of uncomfortable confrontations, which could be avoided with a flat ban.2) Perceived fairness.&nbsp; If you allow the tech, and one person can handle it without being disruptive, and the other cannot, there can be the perception of favoritism.&nbsp; &quot;What?&nbsp; I can't use my smartphone, but Tom can use his?&nbsp; That's not fair!&quot;&nbsp; In my experience, those who are not disruptive with electronics don't miss them all that much when they're removed from the table.&nbsp; The fact that they weren't disruptive implies that they weren't using the tech much anyway, and the gain in player-engagement is sufficient to counter the slight lack of convenience.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Umbran, post: 6325163, member: 177"] There are a couple of issues that can arise with that, depending on the group. 1) Policing issues. If you allow the tech, the temptation to sneak in some unrelated stuff will remain. And, as a practical matter, the GM won't notice it the first time or two, or three, which then invites more use (it is like speeding - you don't get caught every single time). Getting away with it sometimes increases the risk of recidivism. This can lead to a series of uncomfortable confrontations, which could be avoided with a flat ban. 2) Perceived fairness. If you allow the tech, and one person can handle it without being disruptive, and the other cannot, there can be the perception of favoritism. "What? I can't use my smartphone, but Tom can use his? That's not fair!" In my experience, those who are not disruptive with electronics don't miss them all that much when they're removed from the table. The fact that they weren't disruptive implies that they weren't using the tech much anyway, and the gain in player-engagement is sufficient to counter the slight lack of convenience. [/QUOTE]

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