A study published in 2024 in the journal Computers in Human Behavior examined the effects of parental phubbing—when a parent ignores their child in favor of their smartphone—on children's mental health. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 Chinese parent-child pairs and found that children who experienced frequent phubbing reported higher levels of anxiety and depression.
The study, led by researchers at Zhejiang Normal University, indicated that parental phubbing can undermine the parent-child relationship, leading to feelings of neglect and reduced emotional security in children. This, in turn, may contribute to internalizing problems such as anxiety and withdrawal.
Experts recommend that parents be mindful of their phone use around children, setting aside dedicated device-free time to foster better communication and emotional bonding. The findings align with previous research linking distracted parenting to negative child outcomes.
