The phenomenon of “phubbing” – the unintentional ignoring of others for the sake of a smartphone – is becoming increasingly visible in everyday life and is affecting relationships between partners, family and friends. This phenomenon, where a person frequently reaches for their phone, checking messages or simply browsing content, can lead to feelings of being ignored by others and reduce the quality of interactions.
Psychologists advise not to criticize yourself for this habit, but to consciously choose the moments when you use your phone. Caitlin Rieger, an associate professor at University College London, offers a simple strategy: every time you pick up the phone, tell the other person why you are doing it, and when you are done, return to the conversation. This allows you to maintain your attention on the other person and interrupts the automatic attraction to the device.
Also, research conducted by Claire Hart, associate professor of psychology at the University of Southampton, showed that frequent "phishing" negatively affects relationships: people feel rejected, which can provoke a "spiral effect" when both partners pick up their phones and become less attentive to each other. This is especially noticeable in families where parents actively use phones - communication with children can weaken, and children's self-esteem can decrease.
Experts emphasize the importance of transparency and mutual attention. Even a small change in behavior - voicing the purpose of using the phone and returning to communication - helps improve relationships, maintain mutual respect and avoid feelings of being ignored.
