What is Phubbing and Why Does it Lead to Divorce?

Young people nowadays use so much jargon and slang. One word you may or may not have heard of is phubbing. Phubbing is a portmanteau of the words “phone” and “snubbing.” It is defined as the practice of ignoring one’s spouse or romantic partner so they can spend time on their phone or other electronic device.

Phubbing may seem like a silly word to describe a silly situation, but the truth is that it can be a serious issue. Phubbing has been known to cause marital dissatisfaction and even divorce.

What should you know about phubbing? Here are some signs to look for and what you can do to manage it so it doesn’t end your marriage.

Signs of Phubbing

Are you guilty of phubbing? Or maybe your spouse is? Here are some signs you should be aware of:

• You check your phone every time it rings, even when you are doing something important.
• Your or your spouse is looking at their phone while the other person is having a conversation.
• You take your phone with you everywhere and cannot be away from it.
• You bring your phone to bed and use it while your spouse is lying next to you.
• You use your phone when there is an awkward silence or lull in the conversation.

Why is Phubbing So Common?

Phubbing is a phenomenon caused by all aspects of modern technology. Go online and you’ll be inundated with social media sites, games, and apps that are designed to keep us glued to our phones. These statistics back up this claim:

• As of 2023, there were almost 300 million smartphone users in the United States alone. This is estimated to increase to more than 315 million users by 2025.
• The average mobile phone user checks their phone 58 times a day.
• Americans spend an average screen time of just over seven hours a day on their mobile phones. This includes calls, texts, watching videos, using apps, playing games, and going on social media sites.

We are constantly being enticed to ignore our friends, lovers, and spouses in favor of virtual “friends,” “influencers,” and “celebrities.” Studies show that spouses who phub each other experience higher rates of depression and resentment. Phubbing can certainly become the tipping point that pushes the relationship over the cliff. Some people compared it to coming in second place to a phone screen or even getting slapped in the face.

Make your dinner table, bedroom, and car no-phone zones. Put your phone away when you’re home unless you absolutely need to contact someone. You can create No Phone Times like evenings out and date nights. Don’t let phubbing ruin your marriage.

Seek Legal Help

Technology has greatly impacted our lives in the past decade, but it should not be used as an alternative to communicating with your spouse. Marriages require effort, and you should not be ignoring your spouse in favor of your phone or other electronic device.

Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help you move on if you’re not getting the attention you need in your marriage. Fill out the online form or call 954-764-4330 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

yourtango.com/heartbreak/divorce-attorney-warns-phubbing-grounds-divorce