About Phubbing

 

  In the Digital Era, smartphones have become the number one priority in society. When it comes to our smartphones, nothing else in our lives gets as much attention. A single notification can branch to half days only checking the status or short videos on social media. If we lose it, the stress starts to build up rapidly. Getting by without a smartphone really is not possible anymore, and from that other areas of our lives are bound to be affected.

  Phubbing describes the act of "phone-snubbing". It is a term that most people might not be familiar with, but the action is certainly one we all recognise. If we are going outside let's say, how often have we been physically in the presence of someone, but they're emotionally "not there" because they are absorbed in their smartphone? Quite a lot, isn't it?

  Smartphones and text messaging help partners display love and affection to each other when they are physically apart. However, what happens when smartphone usage in a relationship? It is becoming increasingly common. How about a family dinner? quite common as well. How about a friend meeting? Absolutely common. But the problem with this growth is, it's actually damaging to both relationships and mental health silently.

  Phubbing can negatively impact many different aspects of a person's life, particularly their relationships with others. For example, think of the last time we were out with friends. Did one of them pull out their phone mid-conversation, probably we were retelling an important story? How did we feel about that behaviour? Not only can it cause relationship strain, but phubbing can also result in increased stress, low self-esteem, and feelings of loneliness.

  Moreover, the impacts of phubbing on relationships may include, the "phubbed" person feeling left out, it causes frustration, it can lead to resentment, decreases relationship satisfaction, and it affects a person's ability to bond to others. On the other hand, it impacts a person's mental health such as increased feelings of loneliness, increased stress levels, and low self-esteem. 

  Phubbing is a behaviour and behaviour can be avoided. Understanding our phubbing behaviour is the first step toward making change. This habit is not always our fault, as we are constantly surrounded by technology, and it can feel impossible to escape from it, sometimes. If we want to stop phubbing we can do several ways.

  Take a break from social media. Taking a break from social media entirely can be beneficial. This can help switch our attention away from doom-scrolling to maintaining our relationships. We do need to delete our social media entirely, instead taking a daily or weekly break is a good place to start.

  Leave our smartphones behind. This is very effective when we are at the office or during class at the school. Choosing to leave our smartphones behind out of reach during social outings can also be helpful. To make it fair, request our companion do so as well. Place our phone inside a purse or rucksack. 

  Turn our smartphone over. Sometimes, simply turning our phone over when it's visible can help stop us from phubbing. Doing this constantly can decrease our impulse to look at our smartphone, which shows our companion that we are interested in them and the conversation. Moreover, we can observe how beautiful our partner wearing instead of our smartphone.

  Phubbing can lead to feelings of resentment and frustration. Taking steps to confront the issue will help, but only if the other person is open to feedback and willing to change the behaviour. Some people believe that phubbing is started through social media, while others believe that phubbing starts when the text message exists. No matter when phubbing needs to be avoided.

  Thank you for your time and as always have a lovely day. 😀

References:

1. What is Phubbing and How to Combat It - Attachment Project (2023). Available at: https://www.attachmentproject.com/psychology/phubbing/.
2. Bennett, T. et al. (2023) What is Phubbing: Impact on Relationships & Solutions | Thriveworks, Thriveworks. Available at: https://thriveworks.com/help-with/relationships/phubbing/.
3. Phubbing: What It Is, Impacts, & How to Deal With It (2023). Available at: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/phubbing/
4. Are you 'phubbing' right now? What it is and why science says it's bad for your relationships (2017). Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/10/13/are-you-phubbing-right-now-what-it-is-and-why-science-says-its-bad-for-your-relationships/