We love our gadgets.  Our tablets, computers…anything that entertains or connects us to people, we love them – but we love our smartphones the most.  Even if you deny it, you can’t go on a day without checking your phone.   For most of us, our smartphones are the last thing we check before we go to sleep, and the first thing we check when we wake up.  And some of us even develop a sixth sense – we sense that there’s an incoming message or call even before it flashes on our gadget’s screen.

This attachment to our gadgets is quite fascinating but does it also make us an inappropriate people, forgetting the social norms that have built society up to this point?

Mobile Mindset Study

According to the latest Lookout Mobile Security survey, Mobile Mindset Study, the more people rely on their smartphones, the more frequently they check their devices when in bed, in the bathroom, at the dinner table, and even while driving.

Lookout commissioned Harris to survey more than 2,000 American smartphone owners on how much they use, where they use and how they feel about their phones, discovering that 58% of smartphone owners can’t go an hour without checking their phone; 54% check their phones while lying in bed: before they go to sleep, after they wake up; and nearly 4 out of 10 people (39%) check their phones while using the bathroom.

But what’s sad is, because of this over attachment, people are forgetting their manners.  The study found out that 30% check their phones during a meal, which is a big NO-NO, especially if you’re dining with relatives; 24% check their phones while driving – something no one should be doing since this could lead to an accident; and nearly 1 in 10 (9%) check their phones during religious services at a house of worship – Dude, seriously, RESPECT.

Overly attached — MEN?

Do you know that there’s a social phenomenon called nomophobia?  It’s the extreme fear of being without a mobile phone.  The Lookout survey stated that 94% of people are concerned about losing their phone – who wouldn’t?  Especially if your whole life is in there.  Just think about the hassle of having to get a new phone and setting it up again – the cost and time of doing so makes 38% fearful of losing their phone; as far as losing important data such as contacts or files you’ve saved in there, 20%; then there’s the banking information,6%, – did you know that 21% of smartphone users are already engaged in mobile banking?  Then of course, losing inappropriate content, 3% – that’s how sex videos and racy photos meant for your special someone get into the internet.

People who lose their phones mostly feel panicked 74%, desperate 14%, sick 7%, and relieved 6%.  Yes, some people feel relieved when they lose their phones because they think of their device as both a blessing and a burden.

But the funny thing is, men are more emotional than women when they lose their smartphones.  Men are not as panicky as women, 64%, but they are more desperate 17%, feels sick 11%, and relieved 9%, compared to 84%, 10%, 3%, and 3% respectively.

Lose it and weep!

Now that we’ve established how important smartphones are to our lives, we should keep our eyes on our most prized possession like Gollum.  Not that we should be crazy about it, but just make sure you don’t lose track your device, especially when you’re in a public place.

“Our phones are our lifeline, from sharing photos with social networks to shopping and managing bank accounts,” said Alicia diVittorio, mobile safety advocate at Lookout.   “The findings establish that our attachment to smartphones is driving a new mobile mindset. Our behaviors, emotions and social interactions are impacted by smartphones, to the extent that they now play an important role in our value systems.”

Here are some basic tips from Lookout:

• Don’t lose it: Keep your smartphone in a zipped pocket or bag when you’re on the move and scan your area when leaving public places to make sure you don’t leave it behind
• Keep your power: Make sure you charge your battery before you leave the house or keep a charger in the car – not only will it keep your phone alive, but it will help to track it down if you misplace it
• Keep it safe: Download an app like Lookout so you can find your phone if you lose it, lock & wipe your data if it cannot be recovered and backup your personal information.