Phubbing and its Impact on Social Life: A Systematic Review

Background: Phubbing, a social phenomenon associated with smartphone usage, often detracts from meaningful social interactions instead of enhancing them. Despite its prevalence, research is scarce, leading to a limited understanding of the factors that predict this behaviour and its societal consequences. This systematic review seeks to assess the potentially severe consequences of phubbing, particularly as an unintentional act, to aid policymakers in recognizing the associated risk . Methods: The review extensively examines the available literature from databases including PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar search engine. Following the PRISMA,(2020) (Page et al., 2021) guidelines, 43 relevant articles published between 2014 and 2024 were selected from an initial pool of 240 references for inclusion in the study. The inclusion criteria comprised empirical studies operationalizing phubbing as a measurable variable and utilizing quantitative methodological approaches. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English-language journals were deemed eligible for consideration. All papers included in this review were assessed for quality check as well. Results: The results synthesis was structured into two primary domains: individual-level and social determinants. Analysis revealed multiple variables within these domains, including psychological well-being, personality attributes, academic/occupational outcomes, and sociocultural factors. These factors functioned as both antecedents and consequences of phubbing behaviour. Conclusion: The synthesis of data from 43 empirical studies has resulted in a comprehensive framework for understanding the underlying causes of phubbing behaviour and its wide-ranging impacts on both individuals and society. The results highlights how societal influences drive technological choices and examines the broader consequences across different sectors. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the connection between evolving technological habits and social behaviors like phubbing. Continued research in this area is essential to deepen our understanding and to inform practical approaches in areas such as education, counseling, and the management of related social issues.