Are we together and apart at the same time?

The sight of phone snubbing(phubbing) is extremely prevalent, with youths being glued to their phones, despite having friends and family by their sides. Though they are physically together, their minds are far apart.

A photo taken of Joyce Hoon(right) and Joel Soh(left) looking at their phones after finishing their meal at a restaurant.

According to a research by Singapore Polytechnic Media and Communication students, 61.4% of 785 youths, were guilty of phubbing, and 84.6% of them were victims.

Phubbing makes face-to-face interactions less enjoyable as phubbers are less attentive, and victims usually feel neglected.

“Phubbing makes us less aware of others. It really shows youth’s addiction to phones and how we can’t keep them away, though there’s someone to talk to in front of us.” says Yu Liu Ying, 17, a student.

To kick the phubbing habit, phones should be out of sight and rules should be made with friends and family on the appropriate timings to use mobile devices, so that social interactions will be more meaningful and fulfilling.