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Nine out of 10 adults annoyed by certain mobile behavior
22 July, 2009
By Chris Talbot |
An Intel survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that nine out of 10 adults are annoyed by some mobile behaviors, although only 38 per cent actually admit to any personal wrongdoing when it comes to texting in the company of others.
When it comes to annoyance caused by mobile device usage, it's not limited to just cell phones or smartphones, but it also includes laptops and netbooks. So what's the most annoying mobile device behavior? Seventy-two per cent of adults said they were annoyed when others text or type on mobile devices while driving their cars. Other pet peeves included talking loudly on an Internet-enabled device (63 per cent), discussing private matters in public (55 per cent), and texting or typing while in the presence of others (54 per cent).
However, with such clear annoyance at such behavior, only 38 per cent admitted to breaching mobile etiquette.
More than 80 per cent of respondents said they have witnessed someone doing something strange while on a call or accessing the Internet via a mobile device. According to Intel, it's not surprising, as many adults are computing on the go with smaller, lightweight netbooks, laptops and mobile phones. Top responses for strange mobile etiquette behavior ranged from making a cashier wait until a phone call is completed and texting while driving. Other responses included using a laptop in a public bathroom and hearing typing and conversations at a church, funeral and doctor's office.
Of the respondents, 82 per cent said they have been annoyed by others inappropriately using Internet-enabled devices in public places. Meanwhile, 56 per cent reporting being annoyed by people not following mobile etiquette in cafes and restaurants, and 47 per cent indicated they had been annoyed by mobile device etiquette breaches in movie theaters and concert venues. Forty-one per cent mentioned retail and grocery stores as spots where they had been annoyed by mobile etiquette offenders, while 26 per cent cited public restrooms.
"We have more and more technology in our lives -- much of it in our handbags, backpacks, and pockets as well as our homes, offices and even cars. It is hardly surprising that we are still working out what is socially appropriate and what isn't -- we are still developing our techno-etiquettes," said Genevieve Bell, an Intel fellow and cultural anthropologist who studies technology and culture.
As etiquette gets sorted out, people can look to common sense, government regulations and things they were brought up to believe by their parents and teachers, she said.
For instance, experts agree typing and texting while driving is distracting and dangerous, not to mention really bad ergonomically, she said. Drivers should keep laptops closed and devices put away while driving.
Using common sense is also important. Conversations that shouldn't be public shouldn't be conducted on a mobile device in the middle of a crowd, for instance. So as to avoid annoying others, mobile device users should also use headphones instead of letting audio blast. |
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