What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Phubbing is paying attention to a phone during a face-to-face interaction in a way that leaves the person with you feeling ignored or pushed aside. The word blends “phone” and “snubbing.” A phone’s mere presence is not phubbing; the key is whether phone attention disrupts the shared interaction.
What counts as phubbing?
Phubbing describes phone use that diverts attention from someone who is physically present. In research, the behavior is defined in the context of an in-person interaction, not simply by having a phone nearby. A 2018 study of phubbing examined how the behavior affected perceived communication quality and relationship satisfaction.
Partner phubbing is the same kind of behavior directed toward a romantic partner during time they are sharing. It can happen while talking, eating together, or spending time side by side. Whether an instance feels dismissive depends on the context: checking an urgent message and explaining why is different from repeatedly turning away without acknowledging the other person.
What does research say about its effect on relationships?
The evidence consistently links partner phubbing with less favorable relationship experiences, but it does not establish that phone use alone causes a relationship to deteriorate. A 2025 meta-analysis combined 52 studies, 58 samples, and 19,698 participants. It reported negative associations with relationship and marital satisfaction, relationship quality, intimacy, perceived responsiveness, and emotional closeness, as well as links with conflict and jealousy. The authors also noted variation across populations and study designs, and that much of the literature is cross-sectional. Read the 2025 meta-analysis.
#1 Best Overall
- [2 Pack] This product includes 2 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector.Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.[Not for iPhone 16 6.1 inch, iPhone 13 mini 5.4 inch, iPhone 13 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Plus 6.7 inch, iPhone 14 Pro 6.1 inch]
- Specialty: to enhance compatibility with most cases, the Tempered glass does not cover the entire screen. HD ultra-clear rounded glass for iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers,screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen.Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions.(Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Online video installation instruction: Easiest Installation - removing dust and aligning it properly before actual installation,enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
Two cross-sectional surveys by Camiel J. Beukeboom and Monique Pollmann, with samples of 507 and 386 participants, found that feelings of exclusion, lower perceived partner responsiveness, and lower intimacy helped explain the association between partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction. Conflict and jealousy did not significantly mediate that association after the researchers accounted for those factors. Because these were surveys, they show relationships among reported experiences rather than proving a one-way cause. Read the 2021 study.
How the interaction may feel
When someone focuses on a screen during shared time, the other person may feel excluded or may perceive their partner as less responsive. Those experiences are relevant to intimacy and satisfaction, according to the survey findings; they are not proof that every phone check has the same effect.
Rank #2
- [3+3 Pack] This product includes 3 pack privacy screen protectors and 3 pack camera lens protectors with Installation Frame. Works For iPhone 16 [6.1 inch] tempered glass screen protector and camera lens protector. Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps. [Not for iPhone 16e 6.1 inch, iPhone 16 Pro 6.3 inch, iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch, iPhone 16 Plus 6.7 inch]
- Night shooting function: specially designed iPhone 16 6.1 Inch camera lens protective film. The camera lens protector adopts the new technology of "seamless" integration of augmented reality, with light transmittance and night shooting function, without the need to design the flash hole position, when the flash is turned on at night, the original quality of photos and videos can be restored.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers, screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen. Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions. (Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Easiest Installation - Please watch our installation video tutorial before installation. Removing dust and aligning it properly with the help of the included installation frame before actual installation, enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints, and enhance the visibility of the screen.
What daily observations add
A 2022 diary study followed 75 participants for 10 consecutive days. On days when participants reported more partner phubbing, they also reported lower relationship satisfaction and more anger or frustration. The study found no association with the recipient’s well-being. Its short duration and small sample make it a focused view of day-to-day experiences, not a population-wide estimate. Read the daily diary study.
How common is phone use during conversations?
An observational study of 100 student dyads in a restaurant found that at least one person used a phone in 62 dyads. In 30% of the conversations in which phones were used, participants shared screens. The researchers also found that people recalled their own and their partner’s phone use poorly, and that a partner’s phone use was associated with lower perceived conversation intimacy. These results describe that student-restaurant sample; they are not a prevalence estimate for the general population. Read the observational study.
Rank #3
- [Compatible Models] - 3 Pack Privacy Glass Screen Protector for the iPhone 17e/iPhone 16e/iPhone 14/iPhone 13/iPhone 13 Pro(6.1 inch). Includes 3 privacy screen protectors and a cleaning kit. *Two types of packaging boxes are randomly shipped.
- [Full Coverage Protection] - This screen protector offers edge-to-edge protection for your device, using military-grade explosion-proof glass. It is also compatible with most phone cases, the appropriate size ensures that the phone case won't squeeze the screen protector after installation, providing double protection for the edges of the phone.
- [High Privacy Protection] - The necessary choice for you in public places. Select the optimal anti-peeping angles for the anti-spy coating to balance privacy and visual comfort. Protect your personal privacy and sensitive information from being seen by people nearby who might peek. To better protect your phone, 3mm nano-scale ultra-thin aviation glass is chosen as the material, it also protects your eyes from harsh light, ensuring a softer visual effect.
- [Superior Quality] Made of high-quality tempered glass, free of bubble wrap, easy to install and no residue when disassembled. Maintain the original touch experience, with a high-definition and clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating to prevent fingerprints, sweat and oil residue. High-hardness glass protects your screen from drops, impacts, scratches and breaks, providing ultimate protection for your phone.
- [Face ID Compatible] - Precise cutting combined with high-quality glass material supports the perfect use of the Face ID function, and it can also take high-pixel photos through the front camera.
Can phone use be less disruptive?
Beukeboom and Pollmann found that involving a partner in, or informing them about, one’s phone activity moderated adverse effects in their study. That supports a practical option—briefly explain a necessary check or include the other person when it makes sense—but it does not prove that this approach will work in every relationship or situation.
For a shared interaction, consider three questions:
Rank #4
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 13 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
- Is the phone activity necessary or urgent? If it can wait, give the conversation your attention.
- Can you include or inform the other person? A short explanation can make the reason for a check clear; sharing something relevant may turn screen time into a joint activity.
- Have you agreed on expectations? Talk about what feels respectful during meals, conversations, or other time together rather than assuming both people have the same rule.
These are conversation choices, not treatments proven in head-to-head trials. The findings support discussing inclusion and expectations, not buying a particular product or expecting a guaranteed result.
What the evidence cannot establish
A 2026 systematic review covers 22 peer-reviewed studies across romantic relationships, friendships, family, education, and workplaces, but its abstract does not provide detailed effect estimates for those different settings. It is a broad cross-context overview, not a reason to assume the same consequences in every relationship. Read the 2026 systematic review.
Best Value
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 14 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
Across the relationship literature, study populations and methods differ, and much of the evidence is cross-sectional. Phone behavior and relationship strain may influence each other; the available findings do not settle the direction of that relationship or show that every instance of phone use harms a conversation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
