1 year ago
in Technology
Our recent survey investigating the strange digital habits of the people Ireland has revealed that our peculiarities are not confined to our younger years.
As easy as it might be to attribute the strangest online shenanigans to the 18-24 year old cohort, it seems the 35-49 year olds and the over 50s also have some explaining to do.
From deleting our browsing history, to nabbing some free Wi-Fi by loitering outside a coffee shop, it’s safe to say we’re all up to something that we wouldn’t have been doing 10-15 years ago.
It’s very likely that at one point or another we’ve all chosen to sit in a coffee shop because it offers free Wi-Fi. With this in mind, have you ever taken it one step further and loitered outside one of these premises just to check an email without stepping inside or buying something? Well we’ve discovered that 18-24 year olds were the biggest perpetrators with 57% of this age range admitting going to these lengths to stay online.
It certainly seems to be a habit that takes a few years to shake off, as 40% of those aged between 25-34 put their hand up as guilty for their part in this cheeky act. The data shows that it’s not until the sensible age of 35, that our sense of fairness, or maybe guilt, comes into play. Only 20% of those aged 35-49, admitted to prospecting for free Wi-Fi, possibly giving explanation to the lack of men with receding hairlines hanging outside Starbucks with no coffee.
In stark contrast to the younger age cohorts, the over 50s age group responded to the question with a very firm ‘no’. With 89% of respondents in this age category dismissing the notion of borrowing Wi-Fi, the other age groups might be inspired to have a long look at themselves…in the reflection of the coffee shop glass.
The attitudes across the generations do a 180-degree turn when we get into the matter of selective posting. This is when someone holds back from publishing, liking or sharing something online that they think could upset their online connections and have a negative ripple effect.
So if you have ever resisted sharing the video of a cat playing a piano so as not to offend animal lovers, or have blocked a friend from seeing you tagged in a photo with their nemesis, you’ve been involved in this political form of posting.
84% of our over 50s, the moral compass of this survey, revealed that they curated their posts in a way that wouldn’t upset others, perhaps indicating a more developed sense of empathy and respect to others’ sensitivity.
There’s some hope for the youth of the nation though as respondents in the 18-24 (58% yes) and 25-34 (61% yes) categories both admitted to putting some thought into what they were putting ‘out there’ before pressing publish.
In the age of smart TVs, drones, Netflix and talking fridges, our information is handled by more parties than ever before. It’s pretty impossible to live off the grid while still enjoying involvement in the digital world, but one of the last pieces of control we have is deleting our internet history.
The peak time in our lives to delete our digital footprints is between the ages of 35-49. Are they hiding the wonderful gift they’ve just bought for their other half? Or maybe they’ve been watching too many espionage films and they think they’re a particularly intersting person and might feature on a watch list or two…
Are you feeling a bit exposed on the bus with your large smartphone screen? Well, we regret to inform you that you’re not just paranoid. 28% of all respondents admit to reading another person’s phone on public transport, particularly the 25-34 year olds, with 47% of this cohort admitting that their curiosities sometimes get the better of them while travelling from A to B. In essence, you're not reading that “10 Things You’re Doing Wrong With Bacon” article alone.
If your screen is on it’s highest brightness setting or you like the font on your screen to be particularly massive, then your phone or other smart tablet is an easy target.
In case you thought you could narrow down the field with some profiling, we have to burst your bubble and tell you that the same percentage of women and men admitted to having a read of your phone with you unaware.
It can of course be difficult to catch these casual readers, but if you think you can hear someone share in your disgust when you get the message that it’s stew for dinner again, type the words “I know right?” on your screen and turn to give them a knowing look.
Like a child caught with their hand in the biscuit tin, this is one of our country’s curious digital habits that can be weeded out one case at a time.
Whatever way you use or access the internet, there’s a bundle for you. See how you can put a package together to let you enjoy it your way. Simply visit our bundle builder.
As easy as it might be to attribute the strangest online shenanigans to the 18-24 year old cohort, it seems the 35-49 year olds and the over 50s also have some explaining to do.
From deleting our browsing history, to nabbing some free Wi-Fi by loitering outside a coffee shop, it’s safe to say we’re all up to something that we wouldn’t have been doing 10-15 years ago.
Wi-Fi Prospecting
It’s very likely that at one point or another we’ve all chosen to sit in a coffee shop because it offers free Wi-Fi. With this in mind, have you ever taken it one step further and loitered outside one of these premises just to check an email without stepping inside or buying something? Well we’ve discovered that 18-24 year olds were the biggest perpetrators with 57% of this age range admitting going to these lengths to stay online.
It certainly seems to be a habit that takes a few years to shake off, as 40% of those aged between 25-34 put their hand up as guilty for their part in this cheeky act. The data shows that it’s not until the sensible age of 35, that our sense of fairness, or maybe guilt, comes into play. Only 20% of those aged 35-49, admitted to prospecting for free Wi-Fi, possibly giving explanation to the lack of men with receding hairlines hanging outside Starbucks with no coffee.
In stark contrast to the younger age cohorts, the over 50s age group responded to the question with a very firm ‘no’. With 89% of respondents in this age category dismissing the notion of borrowing Wi-Fi, the other age groups might be inspired to have a long look at themselves…in the reflection of the coffee shop glass.
Selective Posting
The attitudes across the generations do a 180-degree turn when we get into the matter of selective posting. This is when someone holds back from publishing, liking or sharing something online that they think could upset their online connections and have a negative ripple effect.
So if you have ever resisted sharing the video of a cat playing a piano so as not to offend animal lovers, or have blocked a friend from seeing you tagged in a photo with their nemesis, you’ve been involved in this political form of posting.
84% of our over 50s, the moral compass of this survey, revealed that they curated their posts in a way that wouldn’t upset others, perhaps indicating a more developed sense of empathy and respect to others’ sensitivity.
There’s some hope for the youth of the nation though as respondents in the 18-24 (58% yes) and 25-34 (61% yes) categories both admitted to putting some thought into what they were putting ‘out there’ before pressing publish.
Deleting Browsing History
In the age of smart TVs, drones, Netflix and talking fridges, our information is handled by more parties than ever before. It’s pretty impossible to live off the grid while still enjoying involvement in the digital world, but one of the last pieces of control we have is deleting our internet history.
The peak time in our lives to delete our digital footprints is between the ages of 35-49. Are they hiding the wonderful gift they’ve just bought for their other half? Or maybe they’ve been watching too many espionage films and they think they’re a particularly intersting person and might feature on a watch list or two…
Who’s Looking over Your Shoulder?
Are you feeling a bit exposed on the bus with your large smartphone screen? Well, we regret to inform you that you’re not just paranoid. 28% of all respondents admit to reading another person’s phone on public transport, particularly the 25-34 year olds, with 47% of this cohort admitting that their curiosities sometimes get the better of them while travelling from A to B. In essence, you're not reading that “10 Things You’re Doing Wrong With Bacon” article alone.
If your screen is on it’s highest brightness setting or you like the font on your screen to be particularly massive, then your phone or other smart tablet is an easy target.
In case you thought you could narrow down the field with some profiling, we have to burst your bubble and tell you that the same percentage of women and men admitted to having a read of your phone with you unaware.
It can of course be difficult to catch these casual readers, but if you think you can hear someone share in your disgust when you get the message that it’s stew for dinner again, type the words “I know right?” on your screen and turn to give them a knowing look.
Like a child caught with their hand in the biscuit tin, this is one of our country’s curious digital habits that can be weeded out one case at a time.
Build a Bundle Around You
Whatever way you use or access the internet, there’s a bundle for you. See how you can put a package together to let you enjoy it your way. Simply visit our bundle builder.