Addicted to Smartphones

People are addicted and dependent on their smartphones that they will break etiquette to use them, a survey has found.

17:46 29 November 2017

iPass Inc, a leading provider of global mobile connectivity, has found that people are so addicted and dependent on their smartphones that many are willing to break etiquette to use them.

 

In a survey participated by 1,700 mobile professionals worldwide, 62per cent or nearly two thirds of respondents said that they feel anxious when not connected to WiFi. Shockingly, 7per cent admitted to checking their smartphone during sex and 11per cent during a funeral. 61per cent of mobile professionals said that they find it impossible or extremely difficult to give up WiFi more than sex (58per cent), smoking (41per cent), junk food (42per cent), drugs (31per cent), or alcohol (33per cent).

 

Patricia Hume, chief commercial officer of iPass, said: "You might expect to feel anxious before a first date or during a big presentation, but it seems that the simple prospect of not being connected to Wi-Fi is enough to set people on edge. If there were any doubt, our report proves that social etiquette is a thing of the past when it comes to smartphone use. Technology, and particularly smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, so much so, that there's no scenario in which people won't check their phone. Moreover, they expect to be connected to Wi-Fi when they do it."