What is Phubbing?

Phubbing is the worst thing to do in a friendship or a relationship. It is being inconsiderate of others at the dinner table. Also, it shows that you are too busy to be there. Furthermore, it tells the other person that you do not care and have other things to do online. It shows them that you rather be somewhere else. 

Moreover, it is not a good habit to do when you are socializing in public. You might be asking yourself how phubbing is done. First, not doing eye contact is disrespectful but is one of the warning signs of phubbing. An example of this is when you are in a restaurant and a couple is not having a conversation.  Instead, both of them or one of them is staring at their cell phone. 

No matter how one tries to speak and have eye contact with their partner; Phubbing creates a barrier to communicating with them. It might be a habit when the person is anxious.  Other times he or she might be avoiding them to have a serious conversation.  Also, it is done out of boredom. This type of behavior damages the relationship or friendship. 

Phubbing can also occur when someone is having a conversation at the same time he or she text messages someone. He or she tells the person they are multitasking or texting work-related information outside of office hours. Whether they are saying the truth or not; it makes the person feel rejected and not appreciated. From a woman's perspective, phubbing is a destructive thing a boyfriend or spouse can do to her at the dinner table. It makes the woman feel uncomfortable and awkward communicating with him while he is busy with his cell phone. 

There has been a growing trend of phubbing which can be seen everywhere in a public setting. These types of people who do phubbing are not necessarily introverts.  Instead, they can be extroverts who may have an anxiety disorder, depression, an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other issues. Additionally,  they have too many events to attend based on their lifestyle and work. But there is a way to stop phubbing people on dates, social gatherings, and family gatherings. 

Teach your young children and teenagers to keep their cell phones in the living room while you have your meals at the dining table. Keep a basket or a shoe box to place your cell phones in the living room. Put the cell phones in silence for one hour while your family has their meals. Turn off your tablets and laptops. Do not have any electronic devices in the kitchen or dining area. 

If you are eating at a restaurant with the family; Collect their cell phones and silence them. Let them know they will get their cell phones back after having their meals. Your kids or teens may whine but it is the only way to teach them good manners in this technology era. Bring mini-board games for the little ones who get bored or do tantrums at the dining table. Play old-school games or sing songs acapella style to keep their minds busy.

Children and teenagers should grow up with less screen time. The less screen time, the better their minds will fully develop language skills. As well as developing eye contact with their peers, family, and everyone else. Eye contact is so important because it shows respect, how they feel, and if they understand what is being said. When there is no eye contact it makes them look dishonest, distrustful, and improper.

It is unfortunate to see toddlers watching a cell phone while they eat at a restaurant these days. A parent or caretaker must speak to their toddler and keep them busy with appropriate age-related toys. Electronic devices are not the right toy for a toddler to play with while they have their meals. Their brains are still developing at their pace and need to build social skills. Some parents are not aware that their toddlers need to hear and see them. 

Toddlers observe everything and learn social language skills through their parents. Additionally, an adult can quit phubbing. Phubbing is inappropriate no matter who does it. Whoever is on the other end of that cell phone device must understand that you have priorities. Below are website links about ending phubbing. 

How 'Phubbing' Hurts Your Relationships: 

How 'Phubbing' Hurts Your Relationships (meetmonarch.com)

Phubbing-What is it, Effects on Relationships, and How to Stop-Healthline:

Phubbing: What Is It, Effects on Relationships, and How to Stop (healthline.com)

The Problem of Phubbing-Psychology Today

The Problem of Phubbing | Psychology Today

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