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Observing phubbing behaviors during casual and serious conversations: consequences for conversation quality, connectedness, and appropriateness

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The present study investigated observers' perspectives of smartphone use during social interactions in serious and casual conversational contexts, suggesting gender differences. The results of the between-subjects 2 × 2 experimental study show that female observers perceive lower conversation quality when observing phubbing than male observers, aligning with the need-threat model's assertion of female susceptibility to social exclusion. Moreover, observing phubbing diminishes perceived appropriateness of the interaction. Interestingly, no disparity was found in casual versus serious topics of the conversations. Societal implications are discussed.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-02426-4

Authors: Anja Stevic, Hanna Liftinger, Jörg Matthes

Institutions: Stanford University, University of Vienna

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990