Smartphones and tablets have a way of instantly derailing meaningful conversations—or even a juicy gossip session with your bestie—the moment someone picks up their device. Just like that, attention shifts away from the person in front of you. The issue has become so common that communication experts have coined a term for it: phubbing. According to Time writer Angela Haupt, “phubbing,” short for “phone snubbing,” refers to ignoring someone in favor of your phone.
But there’s a deeper issue festering underneath this bad habit.
Chances are, you’re not the only one guilty of it. In group settings—like dinner with friends or family—it often takes just one person picking up their phone for others to follow suit, quickly diving into endless scrolling. According to Nir and Far, psychologists describe phubbing as a form of social contagion, the spread of behaviors, emotions, or habits through a group. It’s similar to trying to eat healthy while your family devours frosted donuts—you’re fighting an uphill battle, the outlet explained. Changing your tech habits becomes just as difficult when everyone around you is glued to their screens. After all, who hasn’t seen a friend suddenly break eye contact mid-sentence to check their phone?
Most of us have come to accept these small but constant interruptions as a normal part of modern life. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to share something important or simply want to be present and enjoy meaningful time with a loved one—free from distractions. So, how do you politely tell someone to get off their phone or tablet?
