Have you been noticing a lot of "public displays of technology" (PDT) lately?
A recent survey conducted by Ipsos and
sponsored by Intel uncovered the current state of mobile
etiquette in the United States. The survey found that texting or typing while driving, sending emails while walking, and using
mobile devices while on a honeymoon, are among the top pet peeves
cited by U.S. adults.
Nine out of ten American adults claim they have seen people misuse
mobile technology, and 75 percent say mobile manners are becoming worse
compared to just 1 year ago, according to the survey.
While connectivity at one's fingertips has enabled people to be more
productive, how people use technology in the presence of others can lead
to frustration. The majority of U.S. adults surveyed (92 percent) agree
that they wish people practiced better etiquette when it comes to using
their mobile devices in public areas.
Roughly one in five adults (19
percent) admits to poor mobile behavior but continues the behavior
because everyone else is doing it.
The desire to be more connected to family, friends and co-workers,
combined with devices that are "always on," contributes to an innate
need to have mobile devices available all day, every day, from early
morning to late night. In fact, one in five adults admits to checking
their mobile device before they get out of bed in the morning.
With a choice of sleek, small and powerful mobile devices on the market,
people can easily take mobile devices with them wherever they go, making
it easy to commit "public displays of technology."
The survey revealed
that U.S. adults see an average of five mobile offenses every day, and
top mobile pet peeves remain unchanged from Intel's first examination of
the state of mobile etiquette in 2009. The top mobile etiquette gripes
continue to be the use of mobile devices while driving (73 percent),
talking on a device loudly in public places (65 percent), and using a
mobile device while walking on the street (28 percent).
As mobile etiquette guidelines continue to evolve, Anna Post of The Emily Post Institute offers these
tips to those who use a variety of mobile devices on a daily basis:
-
Practice what you preach: If you don't like others' bad behavior,
don't engage in it. -
Be present: Give your full attention to those you are with, such as
when in a meeting or on a date. No matter how well you think you
multi-task, you'll make a better impression. -
The small moments matter. Before making a call, texting or emailing in
public, consider if your actions will impact others. If they will,
reconsider, wait or move away first. -
Talk with your family, friends and colleagues about ground rules for
mobile device usage during personal time. -
Some places should stay private: Don't use a mobile device while using
a restroom.
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Ipsos on
behalf of Intel from Dec. 10, 2010 to Jan. 5, 2011 among a nationally
representative sample of 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, with a
margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. Intel tapped its team of social
scientists, anthropologists, psychologists and industrial designers to
provide a glimpse into how people use, will use or would like to use
technology, including mobile devices, well into the future, across
different cultures.
"New digital technologies are becoming a mainstay in consumers' lives,
but we haven't yet worked out for ourselves, our families, communities
and societies what all the right kinds of behaviors and expectations
will be," said Intel Fellow Genevieve Bell. "Our appropriate digital technology behaviors are
still embryonic, and it's important for Intel and the entire industry to
maintain a dialogue about the way people use technology and our personal
relationships with technology as they continue to help shape societal
and cultural norms.
For additional materials and results of Intel's Mobile Etiquette survey,
visit www.intel.com/newsroom/mobileetiquette.