‘I have never touched another person’s phone’: Katrina Kaif on maintaining personal space in close friendships and relationships

“I do not touch other people’s phones. Even if I’ve touched it, it’s to use the camera to take a picture of you. I do not scroll, or what do you call it, touch. I just think that personal space needs to be respected. Otherwise, you are going to have trouble,” she said.

Should you check your partner’s phone in a relationship?

Gurleen Baruah, occupational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing, told indianexpress.com, “Generally, it is not acceptable for one partner to check the other’s phone in a relationship, even if they have permission. This issue is nuanced and involves several important factors to consider.”

According to her, trust is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship, and checking a partner’s phone undermines this trust and the natural leap of faith that partners take with each other. Privacy is essential, and invading these boundaries can cause lasting damage to the relationship.

Katrina doesn’t like to touch other people’s phones (Source: Instagram/@katrinakaif)

“Checking a partner’s phone can create a cycle of doubt and suspicion rather than alleviating it. This behaviour often escalates, leading to increasingly invasive actions and higher levels of anxiety,” she said, adding that the habit of checking a partner’s phone can become an obsession, particularly if driven by conditions such as Relationship OCD (ROCD). This leads to a cycle of obsession, distress, and compulsion, significantly affecting both mental health and the relationship.

Baruah believes open communication and clear boundaries are vital. “Instead of snooping, partners should discuss their feelings of insecurity and work through them together. This approach fosters a stronger and more trusting relationship,” she added.

How can couples navigate issues of privacy and transparency?

Navigating issues of privacy and transparency is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance in a relationship. Barua shared some strategies couples can use:

Open Communication and Clear Boundaries: Establish open and honest communication to discuss expectations and boundaries regarding privacy and transparency. Agree on what information should be shared and what can remain private, ensuring both partners feel heard and understood.

Build and Maintain Trust: Work on building and maintaining trust through consistent, honest behaviour. Trust grows when partners feel secure and confident in each other’s actions and intentions. Address any concerns openly to prevent misunderstandings.

Respect Individual Space: Allow each other to have private moments and personal space without feeling the need to check up on one another constantly. Respecting individual space is essential for personal well-being and the health of the relationship.

Be Transparent About Feelings: Share your feelings and concerns with your partner. If you’re feeling insecure or anxious about something, talk about it instead of resorting to invasive actions like checking their phone. Transparency about emotions helps in understanding and addressing the root causes of insecurity.