The phenomenon of phubbing among university students: An exploratory study

Although nowadays the use of technologies allows multiple benefits to be obtained, it is necessary to be aware of the negative repercussions that they can trigger. Phubbing, which consists of ignoring another person during a conversation by using a smartphone, interfering with interpersonal communication and social relationships, is one of the many problems that have recently appeared. This study aims to examine the extent to which phubbing is present among university youth, as well as the effects it may generate. A quantitative methodology was employed, specifically applying the phubbing Scale in its version validated for the Spanish context to a sample of 441 students enrolled in different university degree programs related to the educational and psychoeducational field. The results indicate a moderate level of phubbing, particularly in items associated with obsession with mobile phone use. In any case, it is concluded that it is necessary to implement measures to prevent a greater incidence of this phenomenon and, above all, to minimize the psychological, social, and educational risks associated with smartphone dependence. and, above all, to minimize the psychological, social and educational risks that this generates.