Are you Phubbing kidding me?
Remember the time when our parents were concerned about teaching us manners so that we would behave properly when some guest arrives. Answering the question when someone asks, being polite, saying thank you and welcome, not leaving the dinner table until others are done, not using your phone when someone is talking to you, and the list is endless. As kids, we used to follow these but ask ourselves, as adults do we?
Most of the time while traveling or even sitting on the park bench with a companion, we find ourselves (and sometimes others as well) going through our phone, responding to a text or an email while our companion just sits and waits for us or tries to make small talk. This problematic behavior is considered ‘Phubbing’. Phubbing describes the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by using one’s phone instead of talking to the person directly in one’s company. In other words, Phubbing involves using a cell phone in a social setting of two or more people and interacting with the smartphone rather than the people present.
Snubbing someone during face-to-face interactions by engaging in a smartphone rather than the person not only affects the mental health of the person but also puts a lot of unnecessary constraints in between the relationship of the two individuals. Indicators such as mental health (panic, social anxiety, and depression) and personality traits are associated with Phubbing. Not only this but, it also suggests a lower level of friendship satisfaction leading to barriers between friends and chaotic relationships. Phubbing might seem good in the short run but its long run implications on health and relationship with the loved ones might be baleful.
The causes of smartphone Phubbing are still unclear in many domains, yet some predictions are made through several studies that have been conducted. Firstly, ‘Internet addiction’ is considered a cause of Phubbing. In recent studies, Internet addictions can be seen as having a positive relationship with Phubbing. The compulsive need of people to spend a great time over the internet, to a point where other factors of life such as relationships, work, and health, are allowed to suffer. When this aspect of Internet addiction starts to impact the social life of a person, it slowly and gradually turns to Phubbing.
Secondly, the anxiety of missing out on important information, commonly termed as FOMO, is also considered as one of the reasons for Phubbing. The Fear of Missing out (FOMO) is associated with missing important information on social media platforms, texts and emails. FOMO is associated with problematic phone usage. It is, therefore, possible to suggest that FOMO can also be one of the causes of Phubbing.
Lastly, lack of self-control is related to addictive behavior. Not just this, but some additional features such as lack of interest, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, etc, play an important role in inducing Phubbing. The urge to avoid social interactions (due to anxiety and panic attacks) at all costs adds additional bits in inducing Phubbing among people.
Phubbing behavior can be seen largely in the modern world as well as in the modern generation. Due to this, Phubbing is now general among large groups of people and hence it’s becoming acceptable or normative. Ask people around you as we did as to what they think of Phubbing. Shockingly, for most of the people it is more of a habit than a problem which should be looked after. People don’t see Phubbing as a problem but a habit that they can follow in their everyday life without worrying about it. Societies have always experienced dramatic shifts in new social norms and people tend to adopt these norms rapidly. Although this is not right. Just because something is affecting large groups of people and is seen commonly, doesn’t make it righteous.
Even though Phubbing is considered a dangerous behavior in the modern world, there are no concrete ways of eradicating it. The only thing that a person can do is via self-control. To change this extensive habit of Phubbing, one needs to practice self-control for a considerate period. Making small talks with a companion or a group of people, when out or trying to move past the urge of checking the phone in public, when in an uncomfortable situation, might help as well. Also, a new term JOMO (Joy of missing out) was coined in the recent times to overcome FOMO. It is described as joy/ pleasure in taking a break from social media platforms to enjoy personal time. Even though JOMO is a new term to overcome FOMO, it is easier said than done. Other than this, consulting a doctor or booking therapy sessions with professionals also helps. Although the results won’t be instantaneous, they will be seen gradually over a while. This should be considered as an option only when other suggestions don’t work.
Moreover, awareness regarding Phubbing should also be spread. Everyone should be accountable for their own habits of Phubbing. People help each other out, when they see someone Phubbing and should tell them about the long term implications that it can cause. Phubbing is a problem that we have created to skip the reality and different parts of awkward silences with people. Although sometimes it helps people to calm down or skip unwanted situations, it is still not healthy if implemented regularly.
By Akanksha Singh & Rijul Arora
