It would be an overstatement to say that everyone knows the felling of being ignored due to a smartphone. When it comes to intimate relationships, this occurrence can be more harmful than you have imagined.

Officially coined as 'phubbing', this term describes the habit of snubbing someone in favour of a mobile phone. As a promotional campaign for Macquaire Dictionary originally, this term was picked up by myriads of media outlets, causing quite a stir in popular culture. Obviously, it hits the spot-most people know the feeling of being phubbed. Survey has shown that over 70% of interviewees feel that their partners are ignoring them as they are focusing on their smartphones.

The more time one spends on smartphones, the more quality time with your loved one is displaced, which moulds the device into source of conflict and tension. The lack of communication and the feeling of being deprioritized have been reported to be the top reasons for quarrels. When your partner is sending a text in your presence, it is inevitable that you feel neglected. As conflicts escalate, not only will you emotional satisfaction plummet and confidence collapse, but relationship may also fall apart. This chain of undesirable events set off by phubbing will lead to irreparable damage to the relationship, which is a road with no going back.

Though smartphones admittedly carry attractive functions, it's better for us to put them down for our loved ones. After all. we all will, inadvertently or intentionally, inflict negative feelings on the people we phub. The functions of a smartphone, like all other pastimes, should be utilized well and appropriately. It is not worth it to sacrifice out limited time with closed ones for something you can do any time on your own. Put yourself in other's shoes, and you will realize how disrespectful it is to keep looking at the phone when you are supposed to be having a face-to-face conversation with someone.

The key to a healthy and strong relationship is communication. Misusing your smartphones will be a deviation from its original purpose, which is connect people around the world and make communication easier. We should not let technology dominate our lives. At the end of the day, your partner is not always going to be there while your phone can wait.