Atiksh Bhan. Image Credit: Regeneron ISEF
Phubbing affects an estimated 75% of smartphone users, according to the Society for Science. The study involved 132 adults, of whom 62% were women, according to the Society for Science. The observation sessions lasted an average of 75 minutes, allowing him to examine phone-related behaviour during ordinary social interactions. Bhan’s work received recognition at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), where he competed in the behavioural and social sciences category. His project received the second award, worth $2,400, according to the Society for Science. The 2026 edition was the 76th annual event. The May 15 report listed him among the recipients of complimentary student affiliate memberships under the American Psychological Association’s recognition programme.
Because the project was about comparing different incentive structures, not about people’s opinions on their smartphone habits.Bhan might also study behaviour in groups, looking at how the presence and actions of other people could affect an individual’s willingness to put a phone away, the reason we randomised was. Because using your smartphone isn’t always a conscious choice to ignore someone, this is an important distinction,. Because they are used to it or feel they should be available, they merely check their notifications.
The Society for Science reported that the findings pointed towards the influence of interdependent group dynamics.
The approach could be applied in cafeterias, at events and in other social environments where people gather, according to the Society for Science. Student researcher Atiksh Bhan explored whether simple incentives could motivate people to put away their phones when talking face-to-face. His project, titled Designing for Presence, explored different ways of reducing smartphone use through a randomised trial. The research focused on how small changes in behaviour and the way people are encouraged can help make in-person interactions more attentive and meaningful. Atiksh Bhan, a student from Manassas, Virginia, chose to examine a behaviour that has become familiar in homes, schools, restaurants and public spaces. Known as phubbing, it describes the habit of looking at or using a smartphone while interacting with someone in person. Rather than simply asking people to switch off their devices, Bhan investigated whether incentives could encourage them to give more attention to the people around them. His research brought together social behaviour, mental health and practical ways to encourage change. The project, titled ‘Designing for Presence: A Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Incentive Structures to Reduce Smartphone Use During Social Interactions,’ examined how different forms of encouragement could influence phone use during conversations. The behaviour has also been associated with depression, loneliness and dissatisfaction in relationships. These connections made the subject relevant beyond everyday phone etiquette, giving Bhan an opportunity to explore how technology habits can affect people’s social experiences. Bhan used a randomised controlled trial to study smartphone behaviour in real social settings. Instead of restricting the research to an artificial laboratory setting, he observed existing social groups in public spaces. Smartphones make it easy to communicate, access information and stay connected. However, their constant availability can also interrupt conversations that take place in person. Phubbing describes precisely this situation. Even a brief interruption can change the experience of a conversation, particularly when one person feels that their attention is being divided. Instead of treating smartphone use as a habit that people must simply abandon, the project considered whether the surrounding social environment could help encourage different choices. Understanding these patterns can help researchers explore more practical ways to encourage attentive interactions. One of the important observations from Bhan’s research was that incentives alone might not explain why people change their behaviour. In simple terms, the decisions people make about using their phones might be affected by what other people in their social group are doing. When people are in groups their behaviour can affect each other. This suggests that encouraging a whole group to remain engaged could be more effective than focusing exclusively on individual phone users. The research demonstrated a new approach known as contingency management, which uses incentives to encourage a desired behaviour. He represented Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Virginia and qualified through the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The competition brought together high school students who had earned their places by winning awards at affiliated local, regional, state or national science fairs. Bhan’s project also appeared in the organisation’s special awards announcement. The research does not suggest that smartphones are inherently harmful or that every instance of checking a device damages a relationship. Smartphones are unlikely to disappear from everyday interactions, but the way people use them around others can influence the quality of those experiences. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Smartphones are ubiquitous today in social interactions, frequently competing for attention even when people are sitting together.