Women go potty about using mobile phones in the loo

Women lead men when it comes to using phones in toilets, a new study has revealed. 

About 76 per cent of women have reported to have used their mobile phone in the toilet. However, men were not far being as 74 per cent had admitted to have used a phone in the toilet.

A recent survey by a US based marketing agency 11mark, revealed that a quarter of all Americans make it a point to go the bathroom accompanied by their mobile phones.

The report, “IT in the Toilet,” uses the “bathroom benchmark” in an attempt to examine just how connected mobile phone users have become.

Although women lead the figures for the overall use of a mobile phone in the toilet, men are a bit more attached, with 30 per cent reporting, “I don’t go to the bathroom without my mobile phone,” versus 20 per cent of women. Men also work more from the bathroom – 20 per cent say they have participated in work-related calls versus 13 per cent of their female colleagues.

The survey also revealed that android users are more prone to using their phones in toilets followed by Blackberry users.

While 87 per cent of those with an android device have used their phone in the toilets, 84 per cent of BlackBerry users and 77 per cent of iPhone users have also done so.

However BlackBerry users are most likely to answer a call in the bathroom. 75 per cent of BlackBerry users report they have done so, versus 67 per cent of Droid and 60 per cent of iPhone users. Android and iPhone users are however more likely to browse a social network or use an app (in the bathroom) than their BlackBerry colleagues.

Majority of iPhone users have even shopped (online) while sitting in the toilet. According to the survey about 22 per cent of iPhone users are particularly likely to browse and buy in the bathroom compared to 10 per cent of Americans with mobile phones overall.

The survey of 1,000 Americans also revealed that about 63per cent of all users report they have answered a phone call while only 41 per cent have initiated a phone call. Only about 38 per cent have surfed the Internet.

“The writing is on the stall,” says Nicole Burdette, principal, 11mark. “This study confirms what we all know – that the last private place is no longer private. And, that the mobile-everywhere phenomenon is flushing out a host of new opportunities for savvy communicators.”

Meanwhile Emirates 247 spoke to many phone users Dubai, a majority of who confirmed to a similar trend, proving that it might not just be Americans who use their phones in the toilets.

Sean M from Great Britain who has been living and working in the UAE for past six years says he very often checks out his phone while sitting in the toilet. “I do answer emergency calls but have hardly initiated any calls.”

Patrick C, a Manager at a Dubai based advertising firm says he often checks out the daily news update on his android phone while sitting in the toilet. “I have also replied to mails and sent out text messages. I have tried answering calls a couple of times. But the echo in the toilet has forced the other person to ask me if I was in the loo,” he said.

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