Mobile phones leading source of ‘tech rage’

Posted by on November 6th, 2006 at 9:50pm

Mobile phones have emerged as the most common source of technology frustration among Australians in a recent survey conducted by Square Holes. 37% of respondents admitted suffering from some form of ‘tech rage’ in the survey. Of these, almost one in three said this was due to their mobile phones.

Square Holes’ Managing Director, Mr Jason Dunstone, said despite technology being designed to make our lives easier overall, the survey showed often it could have the reverse effect.

“While people generally appreciate the impact that technology has had on their lives, there is a common perception that it can sometimes become invasive and annoying,” he said.

“Mobile phones are one of the most commonly used pieces of technology in our everyday lives – 10 years ago it was rare to see your teenager or grandmother with one, but these days they are everywhere.”

“While 85% of respondents reported using a mobile phone within the past week – an increase of 6% from our survey in 2005 – the convenience is also causing a significant amount of frustration.

“A main source of frustration was from being contactable 24 hours a day, even if they don’t want to be. While the simple solution appears to be to just turn your phone off, many people are required to leave them on for work or family reasons.”

The annual survey recorded responses from 400 adults in Adelaide and Sydney and asked them to consider the effect of modern technology on their life.

“Overall, most respondents believed technology had made their lives easier in the past five to ten years, despite 70% identifying a level of annoyance – an increase of 7% from the previous year,” Mr Dunstone said.

“However, people generally believe it is a small price to pay for the benefit technology brings to their everyday lives.”
Mr Dunstone said one of the most interesting findings of the survey was a decline in tech rage in the workplace.

“Despite people reporting an increase in problems such as SPAM emails, computers crashing and difficulties understanding software packages, office tech rage dropped from 28% in respondents in 2005 to 17% in 2006,” he said.

“With computers aiding efficiency and productivity, and providing quick and easy access to information, it appears people are becoming more accepting of technological failings and shortcomings and are willing to overlook these hiccups to get the job done.”

Mr Dunstone said the survey also looked at the adaptation of technology.

“Australians seem to be continuing their love of gadgets with the use of MP3 players, DVD players and digital cameras all increasing significantly from the previous year,” he said.

“In the week prior to the survey, 22% of respondents had used a portable MP3 player, 72% had used a DVD player and 45% had used a digital camera.

“Meanwhile the use of Internet banking (53%), phone banking (31%), Internet shopping (24%) and paying bills either over the phone or via the Internet (69%) all remained constant.

“Despite there being no notable change in these services, there is still a significant percentage of the population who use them.

“It appears that despite the frustration technology can cause and the annoyances which come with gadgets such as mobile phones, overall people are grateful for the difference technology has made to their lives.” 

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