Connected But Distant: The Phenomenon of Phubbing among Families and Its Effects on Coexistence

<ns3:p>Background The increasing integration of mobile technology into everyday life has transformed interpersonal relationships, particularly within families. Phubbing—the act of ignoring one’s immediate social environment by focusing on a mobile device—has emerged as a pervasive and disruptive behavior, yet its effects on family coexistence remain understudied. This study addresses a critical gap by examining how phubbing manifests within family dynamics and how it influences emotional connection, communication patterns, and coexistence strategies among Colombian families with school-aged children. Method A qualitative, descriptive research design was employed to capture parental and adolescent perceptions of phubbing. Data were collected from 25 Colombian families through semi-structured interviews and surveys. Participants were selected via non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A categorical matrix guided thematic analysis, focusing on technology use in daily life, its impact on family relationships, usage regulation, and strategies to counteract phubbing. Results Findings revealed that families experience tension between the necessity and overuse of digital devices. Parents and children alike reported both reliance on and frustration with mobile technology. The ubiquity of screen time contributed to decreased face-to-face communication, emotional disconnection, and psychosocial concerns. Nevertheless, families also reported adaptive behaviors—such as rule-based regulation, digital detox practices, and collaborative agreements—to mitigate negative impacts. The study identified a need for structured tools and shared routines to balance connectivity and relational presence. Conclusions Phubbing poses significant challenges to modern family life by weakening relational quality and coexistence. However, families are actively developing preventive and pedagogical strategies to foster digital awareness and restore interpersonal engagement. These findings underscore the necessity of educational interventions and technological literacy programs that promote balanced device use and reinforce human connection within familial settings.</ns3:p>