Stuck to smartphones: How phones ruin relationships

The inability to put devices away even in the company of others – known as phone snubbing – is causing a rift in relationships. — 123rf.com

Do you find yourself staring at your smartphone in the presence of another person? Do you find it difficult to put your phone aside even when you know you should? If you answered yes, you could be guilty of phone snubbing or phubbing.

Though phubbing may seem harmless at first, it can strain a relationship, especially one that’s already in trouble, says Faith Foo, a counsellor based in Petaling Jaya.