That's My Mobile Phone!

UK Retailer - Carphone Warehouse and London School of Economics have recently got together to look at people's love of mobile phones and how they are unlikely to give them up. The research involved 45 people spending a week where their mobile phones were taken out of their daily routine.

Have mobile phones really become that central to everything we do?

The study shows that 76% of people believe that owning a mobile phone is a way to a better social and quality lifestyle. By being on the end of a phone you can be invited to parties or social gatherings, or simply catch up with family or friends when on the move. A trend which has continued to increase is the sending of SMS (Short Messaging Service), which as it sounds was meant as a way to send short messages instead of making a lengthy call and has become another example of becoming more social.

Most young adults who took part in the survey felt that having a mobile phone at their side, helps them feel part of a "friendship group" and is a "critical social lifeline".

Whilst using our phones might may us feel a little more confident and at ease, could you say you were addicted?

It's shown that most of the 16-24 year olds who took part would give up their life of luxury sweets and alcohol filled nights just to ensure that their phone doesn't leave their sides for 30 days, asked by the researchers. What won't be as surprising is the difference in trends amongst this age group when compared to over 45's. With the younger generation happy to give up their daily dose of tea or coffee, it was shown to be a step too far for the more mature and traditionalists of users.

If these results had been released 10 years ago, I imagine that many of us wouldn't have been surprised to hear that the answer to "here's a million pounds – can I have your mobile phone please" would be a resounding "Yes", followed in hast by "when do I get it?"