From messaging while driving to texting on the toilet, Canadians' mobile manners continue to slip into socially unacceptable and potentially dangerous territory, according to a new national Leger survey conducted for PC® mobile. In the study, 75 per cent of respondents admitted to breaking at least one social rule — or law — with their mobile phones.
With smartphone usage rising steadily, nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of Canadians surveyed believe mobile etiquette is getting worse. The most concerning missteps include:
- 22 per cent have typed or texted while driving, and 20 per cent have made a call while driving without using hands-free technology;
- 30 per cent have talked or texted while walking; and
- 37 per cent have used their phones in the bathroom.
These gaffes are not without consequence. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents have had something unfortunate happen to them because they were distracted while on their phones, such as bumping into another person and walking into a wall or post, being the most common.
"Our children follow our lead, so by engaging in bad and potentially dangerous mobile behaviour, we are telling them one thing and showing them another," said author and family expert Kathy Buckworth, Chief Family Advisor for President's Choice Services Inc. "As we get ready to send our kids back to school with the latest mobile devices, the best way to stop them from adopting these annoying habits is to educate them about this topic, and most importantly, to lead by example."
One bright spot: Families focus on mobile security
One positive trend is an increased focus on mobile security for Canadians. Two-thirds of respondents now set ground rules within their families for mobile usage, something only one-third said they did in 2012. Nearly half of respondents now limit their family's mobile usage, compared to only a third in 2012, and 44 per cent now use passcode protection on their phones, compared to just 27 per cent previously.
Mobile security also remains top of mind, with 91 per cent taking some measure to increase their family's safety with mobile devices, compared to only three quarters of respondents surveyed in 2012.
"Mobile devices play a big role in our daily lives, so taking steps to protect your phone just makes sense," said Maria Forlini, senior vice president of President's Choice Services. "That's why people like our PC mobile Extended Care plan, which provides an extra year of the manufacturer's warranty coverage and a courtesy phone while yours is undergoing repairs."
