Phubbing is a colloquial term that combines 'phone' and 'snubbing' to describe the act of ignoring someone in favor of using a mobile device. This term originated from a campaign by the Macquarie Dictionary, aimed at highlighting the social issue of choosing digital interactions over real-life conversations. The advertising agency McCann Melbourne orchestrated this campaign and coined the term 'Phubbing.' They further launched the Stop Phubbing campaign to raise awareness about this behavior. The campaign's Facebook page succinctly defines phubbing as the 'rude social scourge of phone snubbing,' emphasizing the preference for phone interactions over engaging with people in social gatherings.
Stop Phubbing Campaign
The Stop Phubbing campaign was a comprehensive initiative designed to boost the Macquarie Dictionary of Australia. It featured a film, a website, and a Facebook page. The film, titled 'A Word is Born,' served as both an advertisement for the dictionary and a narrative on the creation of this new term, illustrating the meticulous process behind its inception.