The pervasive integration of smartphones into daily life has significantly transformed social interaction patterns, particularly among university students. This study develops and evaluates a structural model to examine the interrelationships between smartphone dependency, self-regulation, and phubbing behavior. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as self-determination theory and uses and gratifications theory, the research investigates how excessive smartphone use influences interpersonal disengagement and how self-control mechanisms mitigate such behaviors. A quantitative research design is employed, incorporating validated measurement scales and structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze causal relationships. The findings reveal that smartphone dependency significantly predicts phubbing tendencies, while self-regulation acts as both a mediating and moderating variable. The study contributes to behavioral and communication research by providing an integrated analytical framework and offers practical implications for digital well-being interventions in higher education contexts.