According to “Protect Your Bubble”, a cell phone insurance copy, a recent study they did from a poll of 3,000 users showed that:

Six out of 10 smart phone users check their phone BEFORE getting out of bed in the morning.

And for those who don’t have their mobile phones positioned safely beside them while sleeping, they are always within six metres of their handset day and night.

Incredibly, 57 per cent of Brits can’t get ready for the day ahead without first checking for text messages, emails and Facebook updates.

A staggering 88 per cent say checking their phones first thing has now become part of their morning routine, along with brushing their teeth, showering, having a cup of coffee and eating breakfast.

And 68 per cent say they feel more prepared for their working day if they have already checked their phones by the time they get up.

Interesting statistics.  It’s amazing to me of just how far mobile technology has gone.  From brick style cell phones all the way to the latest and greatest Smartphones, phones are now just like an extension of ourselves.  We have to have it.  It’s as essential in the business and networking world like having a car or even a bus pass.  From my own iPod Touch with wireless (which is near equivalent of an iPhone considering I use a VoIP provider), I’m able to conduct business anywhere and everywhere that is Wi-Fi enabled.  Of course, if I had an actual iPhone, then it expands to everywhere that has AT&T service coverage.  The study continues:

The study shows that 86 per cent of Brits are most concerned about text messages first thing in the morning, while four in 10 like to plan their working day by checking emails.

A third of people prefer to check Facebook to see what friends and family got up to overnight.

Using Twitter, checking diary reminders and reading newspaper websites are among the activities people like to carry out while tucked up in bed.

But all this bedtime gadgetry appears to have taken its toll on our literary habits. A third of smart phone users now say they are more likely to spend half an hour in bed at night checking their mobile phone than reading a good book.

It is sad when a good book is replaced by people checking their mobile phone – unless they are using it as an eBook reader…but I doubt it as most Smart phones have a pretty small screen size which is not conducive to a pleasurable reading experience.  It seems that people are very interested in talking about themselves and reading about others where they could potentially forget about all the dangers associated with social networking.  It’s important to remember that social networking is like posting on a bill board that can never be deleted.  So I sure hope people think before they do their status updates.  Back to the study:

At the end of a long day, 53 per cent of Brits choose to unwind in bed by texting loved ones, while 33 per cent like to go on social networking sites.

Three in 10 people like to play games on their smart phones when in bed, while 23 per cent are obsessed with checking emails until they’re on the point of drifting off.

Listening to music, watching films or videos and phoning friends and family are all things folk enjoy doing between the sheets late in the evening.

Interestingly, 13 per cent of professionals make a point of trying to send work emails on their phone or laptop late at night to look good.

Stephen Ebbett continues: "The funny thing is that Brits can’t bear to think they are missing anything – so although most people will go to bed around 11pm and wake at 6 or 7am they will still check the phone just before they go to sleep and as they wake up.

"Goodness knows what they think will happen on social networking sites and with friends and family while they are fast asleep.

"But the other thing iPhones, BlackBerrys and Android phones all have in common is their entertainment value – so whatever your location you can continue reading, playing games and communicating."

But has our fixation with our phones gone too far? A brave 44 per cent admit they are addicted to checking their mobile phones, while 54 per cent would get out of bed to hunt for their handset if they had forgotten to take it to bed.

Just like any other good thing, moderation is the key.  I think this is an age now where we have more goodies and toys than any other previous time and people could and would be experiencing withdrawal symptoms should they be separated from their communication device.  Personally, I’ve been offline and not using a computer for 6 months.  It was one of the hardest experiences in my life.  But that was with a desktop.  Imagine how much more one can be addicted to with a mobile device as it can go with you everywhere!