When your phone replaces real life

REUTERS

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London -An incredible 80 percent of men in the UK admit playing on their smartphone or Internet tablet during dinner, according to a new survey.

Mobile devices are becoming more important than talking face-to-face, a new study by sock subscription service Socked.co.uk has found.

Recent figures show increasing numbers prefer to hold a conversation, regardless of how socially unacceptable this may appear to others.

Some even prefer to chat with online followers who they may never have met in real life than talk to a partner, relative or friend in the flesh.

The results showed that 76 percent of men sit in silence with their partners most evenings while browsing the web.

Whilst 84 percent said they got angry when they were interrupted while using a smartphone or tablet.

“Social media and the Internet are important, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of real-life relationships,” said Mark Hall, of Socked.co.uk.

“Put a phone in somebody’s hand these days, and their behaviour around other people disappears down the drain.

“It’s almost as if the world around them doesn’t exist. The figures are shocking.”

A massive 98 percent said they had never held a dinner party and 82 percent also said they had not read a book in over a year.

Mark added: “Even simple social niceties such as acknowledging those around you have disappeared under an avalanche of text speak, Facebook pokes and hashtag games.

“When somebody says ‘LOL’ in real life, you know we need to change.

“There’s a time to play with your phone, and a time to switch it off. Just for once, go out and have an actual conversation. The results will amaze you.” - Daily Mail

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