This study was the first to examine whether the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and phubbing (phone snubbing) can be explained by preference for online social interaction. Participants (N = 402) completed measures of narcissistic vulnerability, phubbing, and preference for online social interaction, along with measures of grandiose narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and social anxiety, which were included as covariates in a mediation analysis. As hypothesised, preference for online social interaction mediated the vulnerable narcissism—phubbing relationship, however this effect was only partial, with narcissistic vulnerability still having a significant and positive direct effect on phubbing. These results indicate that phubbing may allow individuals with vulnerable narcissism to meet contingent self-esteem needs—i.e., needs which are more readily managed through the asynchronous and more controllable online environment—but that other aspects of narcissistic vulnerability also drive phubbing behaviours.