Irish check their mobile phones times a day Shocking levels of addiction to devices revealed
1943 rescue of Hellcat pilot on USS Enterprise Grumman Avenger limps home IRISH people check their mobiles 57 times a day and more than half wake up in the middle of the night to monitor them.
A survey of 1,000 phone users found 60% of 18 to 24-year-olds examine their devices after going to bed and 40% of people look at them within five minutes of waking.
The study also revealed 30% check their phone within five minutes of going to sleep at night and shockingly just under a third admit to using their smartphones while crossing the road.
Deloitte’s head of technology Richard Howard said: “Mobile devices are a relatively new ‘addiction’ to our social fabric and form an important part of our daily activities and interactions.
“Social norms will develop over time and it will be interesting to see if the fear of being without one’s phone – nomophobia – starts to become more widely recognised. We expect to see phone manufacturers continue to put more controls into devices to prevent dangerous usage.”
Half of those surveyed admitted they use their mobiles too much.
More women than men, 57% versus 37%, believe they use their phones excessively.
Average ownership by over-65s has increased from 48% last year to 54% and 80% of the population now have a smartphone.
A fifth of Irish consumers have between 11 and 20 apps on their phone and 19% have between six and 10.
Deloitte also revealed 89% of people use their phone when spending time with family and friends and 74% even do so when in a restaurant with others.
Nearly half, 47%, of Irish consumers check bank balances on their phones, 41% browse shopping websites or apps and 39% research a product or service.
Mr Howard added: “We can’t underestimate how mobile devices have changed how we interact with others.
“Our survey shows the right balance is still to be found for many of us.”