Mobile Manners Worsen

HAS SOMEONE USING A CELL PHONE EVER MADE YOU ANGRY?

A growing number of American adults feel that mobile etiquette in the United States is getting much worse, according to a new survey. Texting while driving or eating dinner, sending e-mails while walking or using a public restroom, and even using mobile devices while on a honeymoon, are among some of the top pet peeves Americans cited in the survey conducted by Ipsos and Intel. A 2011 report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project states that 85% of U.S. adults own a cell phone, 52% own a laptop computer, 4% own a tablet, and only 9% do not own any of those or other devices. Some of the key findings:

• 91% of adults say that they’ve seen people misuse mobile technology.
• 75% say mobile manners are worse now than in 2009.
• 92% wish people practiced better etiquette when it comes to using their mobile devices in public areas.
• 19% admit to poor mobile behavior but continue the behavior “because everyone else is doing it.”
• One in five adults admits to checking their mobile device before they get out of bed in the morning.
• The top mobile etiquette gripes continue to be the use of mobile devices while driving (73%), talking on a device loudly in public places (65%), and using a mobile device while walking on the street (28%).
• 9% have seen someone using their mobile device in an unusual place. The most common locations include behind the wheel (56%), in a public restroom (48%), in a movie theater (32%) and on a honeymoon (9%).
• 76% of adults say that if they had to choose, they would give up something other than their mobile Internet-enabled device for 1 week.
• 74% believe that poor mobile etiquette has created a new form of public rage/violence, much like road rage.
• 65% admit becoming angry around people misusing their mobile devices inappropriately.
• 88% agree that people rarely take others into consideration when using their mobile devices in public.

Find out more at www.intel.com/newsroom/mobileetiquette.

[Via:  Pew Internet & American Life Project/Ipsos and Intel]