Phubbing: How Much Does Mobile Destroy Relationships

Technology never ceases to amaze us. Every year endless lists of new phones, computers and tablets appear, each one more modern. The same happens with the programs for them, which do not stop offering us advantages when it comes to communicating with others. It is ironic that what connects us with those who are far away, distances us from those who are close. Phubbing is here to stay.

The appearance of the first mobile phones was a real revolution. Everyone commented on how easy it was to be able to engage in conversations with people who lived hundreds or thousands of miles away. Carrying this wonderful element everywhere led to the creation of new, smaller and lighter models.

What at first had emerged as a novelty has gradually turned into an addiction called Phubbing. In people who queue for hours in establishments to buy the latest model; in adolescents who only live to please others on social networks and in an alarming appearance of new related disorders.

What is Phubbing?

The word Phubbing emerged in Australia a few years ago with the union of the terms phone (telephone) and snobbing (despise). We can define it as the fact of ignoring or belittling a person or environment for being focused on any type of mobile technology.

The addiction produced by any of these elements causes the individual to abstract from physical reality and pay more attention to virtual reality. Currently it is something very common that affects a large part of the population, generating a real controversy.

The staunch defenders of the new technologies claim that Phubbing is simply collateral damage. They believe that it is the price to pay for being connected to the world at low cost and in real time. The detractors, on the other hand, are quite critical of the issue. They believe that society, especially the youngest, can see their life conditioned by this obsession.

The controversy has appeared not only for tendonitis, vision problems or related back, neck and headaches. There are more and more accidents and accidents caused by not paying enough attention to the road. The obsession with getting approval and popularity on social networks also causes physical, psychological and social problems. In addition, being more aware of the mobile than our partner, friends or family is a lack of respect and can lead to serious confrontations.

Phubbing-related diseases

There are a series of pathologies related to new technologies. Although Phubbing is one of the best known, there are others that are much more serious and unusual. They can usually be treated with the help of specialists, but you must be the one who realizes you have a problem.

FOMO (Fear of Missing out)

It is about the need to be continuously connected for fear of missing something. The obsession to continually access WhatsApp or social networks is sick here. The individual does not even wait for notifications, he is continually updating the search engine.

They are people unable to leave home without a mobile phone, even refusing to go to other homes or hotels if they do not have WiFi.

Nomophobia

Nomophobia is the extreme panic experienced by the lack of a mobile phone. It usually occurs when the device does not work or has been stolen. People who suffer from it suffer from authentic attacks of anxiety and terror, which greatly condition their perception of something that is easily solvable.

Like those who suffer from FOMO, their main concern is to be missing something during the absence of their mobile. Many of these times, the money to repair it or to buy a new one even goes to a secondary plane.

Cyber ​​hypochondria

Cyber ​​hypochondria is one of the most common pathologies. The Internet is a great source of information, but you have to make it clear that you are not a doctor. Many people prefer to search for their symptoms on the Internet and end up diagnosing themselves diseases that they do not suffer from.

The belief that any forum or portal is reliable causes them to become very hypochondriacs. They think they can have any disease, which can be dangerous if they decide to self-medicate.

Imaginary call syndrome

It also has its variant with the so-called phantom vibration. People who suffer from it hear non-existent calls due to their extreme obsession with the mobile. Even though he has not even turned on his screen, the individual confidently claims to hear the sound.

Google effect

This is one of the lesser known effects, but the most significant in the long term. The brain becomes so used to consulting information from the Internet that it stops assimilating what it discovers in a normal way.  In the long term, it can cause an inability to retain information, which would have a very negative effect on our memory.

New technologies can help us in many ways, but they can also cause us problems. If we pay more attention to what happens on screen than to what happens in real life, the consequences can be disastrous. Interacting with others and thinking about our health are much more important priorities than the internet, and that is something we must take into account.