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For many families, dinner is one of the few moments everyone is together. Yet it has also become a time when smartphones compete for attention. A growing body of research suggests that when parents frequently focus on their phones rather than interacting with their children, the habit, known as parental phubbing , is associated with poorer social and emotional outcomes for children. found that children who experience higher levels of parental phubbing are more likely to show internalizing problems such as anxiety and sadness, externalizing behaviors such as aggression or hyperactivity, lower self-esteem, and weaker social-emotional competence. The review pooled data from 42 studies involving more than 56,000 children and adolescents, making it the largest analysis of its kind to date. Researchers caution that the findings show associations rather than proof of cause and effect, but they suggest that reducing phone distractions during family interactions could support healthier parent-child relationships .

What is parental phubbing?

Parental phubbing refers to the habit of using a smartphone while interacting with a child, causing attention to shift away from the conversation or activity. Researchers distinguish it from the broader term technoference, which includes interruptions caused by tablets, televisions, computers, and other digital devices. Phubbing specifically describes situations where a phone distracts someone during face-to-face interaction.

The meta-analysis found consistent relationships across studies. Higher levels of parental phubbing were linked to greater internalizing problems, including symptoms related to anxiety and depression, as well as more externalizing behaviors such as aggression or conduct difficulties. Children exposed to more parental phubbing also tended to report lower self-concept and poorer social-emotional competence, including emotional regulation and relationship skills. The review noted that these were moderate statistical associations, not evidence that smartphones alone are responsible for children’s mental health outcomes. Most of the included studies were conducted in China, so additional research in other countries is needed to determine how broadly the findings apply.


Why face-to-face attention matters

Researchers propose several explanations for the relationship. Frequent phone use may reduce the quality of parent-child interactions by interrupting conversations, delaying responses to children’s emotional cues, and replacing meaningful shared time. Children may also interpret repeated phone checking as a sign that they are receiving less attention, which could influence their emotional development over time.

, which encourages families to create regular device-free times, including meals, to promote conversation, emotional connection and healthy communication habits. The organization emphasizes that digital devices are not inherently harmful, but recommends using them intentionally so they do not interfere with family relationships.

The researchers stress that putting phones away during dinner or family activities is not about rejecting technology altogether. Instead, it is a practical way to protect moments of uninterrupted interaction that support children’s emotional and social development.