Tech Tuesday: What is Phubbing?

Phubbing. You may have heard the word thrown around before and wondered what it meant. You may have even been accused of phubbing before, because in reality, so many of us do it. Phubbing is the practice of ignoring someone you're talking to to look at your cellphone, aka 'phone snubbing'.

It's not hard to imagine how phubbing can have a negative impact on your relationships with people. Not only are you missing out on what the person is saying, but you're also signalling to them that they're not worthy of your time. And while you might  be thinking you would never even dream of 'phubbing' someone, think about the last time you absentmindedly glanced at your phone to check for notifications mid-conversation, or unlocked your phone to briefly open Instagram to see if someone has replied to you. 

How To Avoid 'Phubbing' Someone:

1) Stack Your Phones
You're out with friends and all sitting down catching up and sharing the week's latest goss. However, as the conversation continues you all somehow end up on your phones scrolling through social media apps. Sound familiar? Next time you're out, get everyone in the group to place their phone in the middle of the table. First person to crack buys a round for everyone!

2) Turn Off Your Notifications  
Sometimes the knowledge that no notifications will flash across your screen puts your mind at ease. Turn them off for even hour while in someone's company. If it's extremely urgent the person will call you and then you can answer. Everything else can wait.

3) Leave Your Phone Behind
Ok, we know this one is quite drastic, and almost unrealistic given how much we depend on our smartphones in everyday life these days, but why not take even one day every 2 weeks to go phoneless. Let everyone know you won't be available and find out what you've been missing out on in the real world this whole time! If you question your willpower, have someone you know 'confiscate' it until a set time.

4) Install An App That Monitors Your Phone Usage
There are a multitude of apps out there for monitoring your phone usage, all the way from how many times to pick your phone up to allowing you to set a phone limit, sending you a notification when you've reached the limit. Phubbing stems from phone addiction and so this may help you nip it in the bud.

5) Throw Yourself Into The Conversation
What does this mean exactly? Well, sometimes picking up your phone mid-conversation with someone is a sign your brain is losing interest in what you're talking about. A good technique is to imagine you're interviewing the person on a television chat show. You don't see Jimmy Fallon picking up his phone in the middle of talking to Robert De Niro! You'll find yourself being much more engaging and it's fun seeing how much information you can draw out of a person. Try it out!

We hope we've shed some light on the term 'phubbing', and with smartphones only becoming more prominent parts of our lives everyday, we're sure you'll be hearing more of it. Hopefully, however, these steps will help prevent you being guilty of it yourself. And if you notice you're being 'phubbed' off by someone else, share these with them!

Your TTG Girl Gang x

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