Yeslam Al-Saggaf

Abstract
The study sought to investigate the reaction to being phubbed by conversational partners. Data for this study were collected using focused silent observation of individuals being phubbed in public settings, such as outside cafes. The focused silent observation was carried out using an observational checklist, which was implemented using Qualtrics. 105 observations were recorded using the Qualtrics observational checklist. The findings of this study revealed that the majority of phubbing incidents occurred when there were between 11 and 20 people present. The vast majority of these incidents involved dyads. The study findings also revealed that young people aged 18–24 and 25–34 were phubbed more than other age groups, and the vast majority of phubbees were female. Of the 105 observations recorded, the majority of phubbing incidents were actively initiated by the phubber—that is, they were not in response to a phone notification. The analysis of data also showed that the majority of phubbers were observed scrolling through their social media feeds, with fewer instances involving texting or phone calls. Most of those who experienced being phubbed did not display any visible reaction other than feeling socially excluded, and only a small portion showed a noticeable negative response. Reactions of those phubbed varied: some individuals continued engaging with the phubber as if the phone was not in use, while others appeared visibly unhappy or awkwardly occupying themselves by looking at their surroundings to appear busy. A number of those phubbed reacted by also using their phones (‘revenged phubbed’). Overall, the findings of the study revealed that phubbing has a more disruptive impact on dyadic interactions than on interactions in group settings. Phubbing has been found to be associated with intensifying feelings of social exclusion. The findings of this study support this association.