By: Lauren McRae

Not to point fingers or anything, but you are probably guilty of phubbing. The term, which means snubbing someone while looking at your smartphone, can take a toll on your relationships. 

“Tweens and teens are especially susceptible to the effects of phubbing,” said NorthShore Child and Adolescent Psychologist Brenda Hernandez, PhD. “It can impact their friendships, make them miss out on meaningful experiences and disrupt face-to-face interactions with friends and family. Phubbing also can lead to kids feeling ignored and rejected by friends, which can even contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.”

Ready to fight back against phub? Avoid texting or scrolling when you’re with your kids. It’s also a good idea to implement boundaries for technology. “For example, have a ‘no phones at the dinner table’ policy or set a time when everyone powers down their devices, such as an hour before bed,” advised Dr. Hernandez.

Having tech-free, face-to-face conversations with your kids will help them feel heard and respected, and they’ll be more likely to do the same for others.