Woman ends relationship with iPad-obsessed boyfriend after he spends her grandmother's 80th birthday celebration glued to the device: ‘I snapped’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Nov 23, 2024 10:00 AM EST

We're living in the age of cutting-edge technology. Millions of pieces of information are at our fingertips and our brains are in need of constant stimulation to keep us engaged and entertained. The upside of all of this is that our learning capabilities are infinite—any question can be answered with a quick and simple Google search.

The downside? The constant need to engage with online content might put a strain on our important relationships. Instead of connecting to people in real life, we're glued to devices that dictate how we use our time whether we like it or not.

In this next story, a woman decides to break off from her boyfriend because he is obsessed with his iPad. No matter how many times she tries to get through to him, he makes up an excuse to engage online rather than spend quality time with her. The final nail in the coffin was when her boyfriend refused to put away his iPad during the woman's grandmother's 80th birthday party. Technology is great, until it isn't.

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    via Unsplash (David Švihovec)

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    AITA for Breaking Up with My Boyfriend Because He Won't Stop Using His iPad During Family Events? repost original got deleted
    via DismalInvite5212
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    Okay, so like, buckle up because this is a mess. I (19F) have been dating my boyfriend (20M) for like a year now and he's cool in most ways, but there's one HUGE thing that's driving me crazy. Like, his iPad is
    via DismalInvite5212
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    like surgically attached to him. I can't even go through a family dinner or holiday without him staring at that thing the whole time. Whether he's texting, gaming, or watching Netflix, I just can't get his attention.
    via DismalInvite5212
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    I've talked to him about it SO many times. I've asked, begged, even cried asking. him to put it down just for a little while. Like, I just want him to be present when we're at family events. But he always has
    via DismalInvite5212
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    an excuse like "I'm catching up on work" or "I'm watching something important" or "I'll stop in a sec." And honestly, I'm just so done with it.
    via DismalInvite5212
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    So last weekend, my grandma (80F) was having her birthday party and this was a big deal. She's getting old and like, I didn't know how many more birthdays we'd get to have with her. I told him
    via DismalInvite5212
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    like 500 times, "Please, just leave the iPad at home for this, I want you to show up for me and my family." He promised he would. BUT the second we walk in, guess what happens?
    via DismalInvite5212
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    The iPad comes out, headphones go in, and he's just staring at it like he's in a whole other world. I was like are you serious?
    via DismalInvite5212
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    At first, I tried to be chill about it. I was like, "Hey, can you please just put it down for dinner?" and he goes, "I'll be done soon." But he didn't stop. Then I asked again, "Can you PLEASE pay attention? My
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    grandma's right there, and you're acting like you're somewhere else." And he just kept scrolling like I wasn't even there. By this point, I was so mad, like, boiling. I was
    via DismalInvite5212
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    tired of feeling like I don't matter more than his stupid iPad. So, in front of everyone-yes, in front of EVERYONE-I snapped. I told him, "If you care so little about me and my family, then you can just
    via DismalInvite5212
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    leave." And what does he do? He just stands up, shrugs, says, "Whatever" and walks out. Like, just straight up walked out. I was standing there, shaking with
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    embarrassment and anger, in front of my whole family, trying not to lose it. After he left, I was a mess. My family was all awkward and didn't know what to say, and my mom was like,
    via DismalInvite5212
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    "Why couldn't you just let it go? It's just an iPad, it's not that big of a deal." But to me, it was. It wasn't about the iPad; it was about him constantly choosing it over me, over
    via DismalInvite5212
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    my family, over being part of the moment. And that's when I realized, I deserve better than that. Now I'm kinda questioning everything. Some of my friends think I overreacted,
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    that it was "just an iPad" and I should've let it go, but I'm honestly just done. I'm tired of feeling like second place.
    via DismalInvite5212
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    So, AITA for breaking up with him just because he wouldn't stop using his iPad at a family event? Or did I blow it and make a huge mistake?
    via DismalInvite5212
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    Shot_A... • 14h ago • Get rid of him. His iPad is more important than you are. It's like he's a little kid
    via Shot_Ad6332
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    Medical_Onion... . 14h ago OP, this guy does not like you. Yeah, he could be anxious and using that as a distraction, but he disrespected you openly, multiple times, and in front of your family no less. Just let him go.
    via Medical_Onion_3500
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    lil-steevie •14h ago Of course you're NTA. If he wants to be an iPad kid he can be an iPad kid in someone else's business
    via lil-steevie
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    Olisabria 14h ago . Yeah, it's not about the iPad. You're asking him to be present in your relationship. and he's just.. not. To your point, it's about him choosing it over you consistently.
    via Olisabria
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    NTA. I don't want to invalidate how you're feeling, but it doesn't sound like you'll be missing out on too many memories with him gone. Grieve the relationship and move on.
    via Olisabria
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    Terpsichorean_... 13h ago. Ugh, I want a few sharp words with your mom! Why is she trying to teach you to accept someone who only acknowledges your existence grudgingly? No one needs that in a relationship. He's obviously not a healthy part of your life. You made the right call.
    via Terpsichorean_Wombat

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toxic-boyfriend Dating-Relationships boyfriend relationship advice aita relationship ipads ipad drama AITAH technology relationship-drama reddit story relationships advice relationship feud Reddit toxic relationship dating dating advice
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