You can use your phone, just shut up about the election!

Smartphone use at family dinners used to be something of a frowned on activity. But a new survey reveals that people are becoming more tech tolerant.

The study from connected experience agency Sequence shows that while 35 percent of those surveyed say smartphone use at the holiday table creates tension, far more (65 percent) are bothered by discussing politics.

In fact, 59 percent of consumers feel their family and friends are good about keeping their smartphones away during the holidays, which is a 20 percent increase from 2015. Nearly half of millennials (47 percent) say smartphones at the holiday table aren’t a big deal and 79 percent say technology enhances their enjoyment or relieves their stress during the holidays. Using an organizer, calendar or note-taking apps help manage stress during the holidays for 41 percent.

"Some holiday classics -- even if they can be unpleasant -- endure. Discussing politics at the holiday table is a time-honored tradition, but often causes tension among family members," says Jojo Roy, chief executive officer of Sequence. "While the heads-down distraction of smartphones at the holiday table is frowned upon, it’s clear that politics tops technology when it comes to causing strained relations during the holiday season. After a long presidential election cycle, consumers are probably ready for some pleasant diversions via smartphones, apps and other tech entertainment this year".

The survey also looked at technology’s effect on holiday shopping and finds that shoppers are taking a stance against Black Friday with 63 percent of consumers saying they would never stand in line for Black Friday deals. Almost half (49 percent) of millennials prefer shopping on Cyber Monday because they can do so online.

You can find more about the results on the Sequence blog and there's an infographic summary of the findings below.

Photo: Martin Novak/Shutterstock