Jennifer Aniston hopes ‘Friends’ will “inspire people” to put down their phones and communicate with one another

She told People magazine: “A ‘Friends’-assance? That’s so nice.

“What I kind of feel is quite comforting is that it’s actually speaking to people today, when so much has changed in terms of technology and how far we’ve come - that Friends is still relatable in the sense that there were no cell phones, it was just friends sitting, communing together.

“I hope that it actually will inspire people to remember that connection and speak with each other. People spend a lot of time on their phones and miss out on a lot [these days].”

It isn’t the first time the ‘Horrible Bosses’ star - who is married to Justin Theroux - has spoken about the increased use of mobile phones in today’s society, as she previously admitted she shuns social media in order to stay sane.

She said: "Any hardworking job that demands a lot of your time, whether you're running a corporation or you're an actor or a mom full-time, 24-7, it's all about trying to find the balance and the time to refuel and recharge.

"We have so many screens: TVs, computers, phones ... I worry we're filling the days up with too much and it's hard to focus on ourselves."

And asked if that's why she doesn't use social media, she replied: "Sanity! Honestly, when I look around and see people constantly on their phones, I feel like we're missing so much. And it's something we created.

"I equate it to the tobacco industry; it's hard enough being a kid growing up and becoming who you are and finding yourself but now you have social media and you've added this extra pressure of seeing if someone likes or doesn't like something you did.

"We're creating these man-made challenges and it's a such a drag.”