Indians glued to phones: Study

Indians glued to phones: Study

PUNE: An average Indian spends over 1,800 hours a year on the smartphone, reveals a survey on ‘Smartphone and their impact on human relationships’ undertaken by a leading smartphone company, in association with Cybermedia Research (CMR). 

The survey by Vivo Smartphone had more than half of the 2,000 respondents of which 36 per cent were females and 64 per cent males. It was conducted online as well as face-to-face in top eight cities in India. The report cuts across age-groups and demographics.

It aimed to understand how mobile devices are altering lives and relationships of users. The study evaluates and reports the various dimensions of uninhibited smartphone usage while highlighting the trends, patterns and habits that influence smartphone user actions, moods and preferences.

In the report, it was found that 75 per cent of the respondents agreed to have owned a smartphone in their teens and of them, 41 per cent were hooked to phones even before graduating from high school. Around thousands of respondents have never tried to switch off from their social handles and profess to not being able to live without their phones. Almost all respondents prefer having only virtual conversations with friends and relatives, stated the survey.

Vivo India Director Brand Strategy Nipun Marya said, “As the ‘born in the Net’ generation grows up as digital natives, there is a fundamental change underway within society - redefining relationships, interactions and the very fabric of human emotions and exchanges. This transformation is also an opportunity to harness and drive positive change, reinforce balance and responsible proliferation of technology and its usage.”

“The study was to get insight into a very pertinent issue that we collectively must address and debate as a community,” added Marya.

CMR Industry Intelligence Group Head Prabhu Ram said, “Our survey results demonstrate that the dependency over smartphones has increased. While smartphones will continue to be the primary go-to device, smartphone users have realised that periodically switching off would help benefit their personal health.”

OTHER FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY
- 30 per cent fewer people meet family and loved ones multiple times a month (now vs 10 years ago)
- One in three people feel they can’t even have a five-minute conversation with friends and family without checking their phones.
- 73 per cent respondents agree that if smartphone usage continues at the current rate or grows, then it is likely to impact mental or physical health.
- Three out of five people say it’s important to have a life separate from mobile phones and that could help them lead happier lives.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com