Twitter’s even intruding on romantic meals out

IT’S bad enough when friends and family can’t leave off texting or checking their Facebook page during ordinary mealtimes.

But now it seems even the romantic restaurant meal for two is under threat from the distractions of social media.

A study reveals half of Britons (53 per cent) admit to connecting with up to ten friends while dining with a loved one. What’s more, a shocking 65 per cent of us admit we can’t resist checking our smartphones or tablets for social updates when out for a meal.

While 66 per cent of Britons confess to using Facebook during a meal, a third will scan Twitter. Most popular actions include ‘posting pictures’, ‘checking in’ and ‘updating a status’.

The survey, by Currys and PC World, also reveals a gender divide. Just a third of men find a digitally obsessed partner a turn off, whereas 64 per cent of females will get annoyed by their date’s habit.

Even on a first date 20 per cent of us would use Facebook or Twitter, and a quarter of us see the sites as potential ice-breakers.

Ben Lovett, a Currys and PC World spokesman, said: ‘Our views on technology use are changing. The majority are now positive about the use of social media.’