What is ‘phubbing’ and why is it damaging to relationships?

New research has uncovered that the phenomenon — whereby couples ignore each other in favour of their digital devices — is leading to increased conflict and reduced intimacy. While this may seem obvious, it’s taken a pair of psychologists to make us notice.

In this day and age, we’re all aware of how technology originally designed to strengthen connectivity has actually begun to do the opposite.

Made apparent by dating app fatigue, the growing tendency of digital devices to drive rifts between us is now impacting our IRL relationships.

This is according to new research which has shed light on a modern phenomenon called ‘phubbing.’

For the unfamiliar, the term is a portmanteau of ‘phone’ and snubbing’ — in other words, when you ignore who you’re with in favour of scrolling endlessly on social media, replying to messages that really aren’t that urgent, and browsing the web.