The Clue Phubbing target, often
The Answer BORE
Phubbing is when someone ignores another person in favor of their phone. The target of this behavior is often a friend or companion who feels bored or neglected. When someone is phubbed, they may feel like they are being treated as uninteresting or dull, hence the word "bore." This makes "bore" a fitting answer to the crossword clue about the target of phubbing.