People look at their phone to avoid conversation – Kaspersky Lab

We all do. There, we said it.

A recent study by Kaspersky Lab has unveiled the reasons behind people’s reliance on their smart devices, and the result is far from shocking.

The purpose of the study was to find out the importance of staying online, the connection issues that mobile device users have faced, and the consequences of not being able to connect.

Of the 11,250 surveyees from 15 nationalities including Singapore, aged between 18 and 60, 75 per cent admitted that the reason why they pretend to be busy on their smartphones is to avoid conversations.

Seventy-two per cent shared that they do so to avoid small talks as they are clueless about what to do in a social situation.

There were also three other groups that chose to fix their eyes to the screen to kill time, as a daily distraction and carry out tasks like booking a taxi.

Dmitry Aleshin, VP for Product Marketing, Kaspersky Lab said: 

“The reliance on connected devices is impacting us in more ways than we could have ever expected. There is no doubt that being connected gives us the freedom to make modern life easier, but devices are also vital to help people get through different and difficult social situations. No matter what your ‘connection crutch’ is, it is essential to make sure your device is online and available when you need it most.”

True enough, mobile devices are excellent companions to avoid awkward situations and get things done without human interactions.

However, it’s also important to be mindful of using them in a safe and secure way.

For that Kaspersky has a service called Kaspersky Security Cloud with features that can help users manage their use of your mobile devices safely and efficiently.

These features can help in situations like:

I want to use my device while waiting for a friend – is it secure to access the bar’s Wi-Fi?

With Kaspersky Security Cloud, devices are protected against network threats, even if the user needs to use insecure public Wi-Fi hotspots. This is done through transferring data via an encrypted channel to ensure personal data safety, so users’ devices are protected on any connection

Oh no! I’m bored but my phone’s battery is getting low – what am I going to do?

Users can track their battery level, thanks to a countdown of how many minutes are left until their device shuts down in the Kaspersky Security Cloud interface. There is also a wide range of portable power supplies available to keep device batteries charged while on-the-go

I’ve lost my phone! How will I keep myself entertained now?

Should the unthinkable happen and you lose or have your phone stolen, Kaspersky Security Cloud can track and protect your device from data breaches, for complete peace of mind. Remote lock and locate features ensure your device remains secure until you are reunited.

For more information, visit www.kaspersky.com.