CelPhoneEtiquete: AnAARPBuletinPol June2010
Cell Phone Etiquette An AARP Bulletin Poll Data Collected by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) Report Prepared by Teresa A. Keenan, Ph.D. Copyright 2010 AARP Research & Strategic Analysis 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 http://research.aarp.org Reprinting with Permission
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largestcirculation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. Acknowledgements This work was done for the AARP Bulletin. The author would like to thank Barbranda Walls and Jim Toedtman for their input, Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) for collecting and tabulating the data, and Jennifer Leslie and Ann Rimkus for prepping the report for publication. For additional information, contact Teresa Keenan at (202) 434-6274. Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll iii
Table of Contents Executive Summary... 1 Background... 2 Detailed Findings... 2 Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered... 2 Phoning and Texting While Driving... 3 Opinions about Cell Phone Usage on Commercial Airline Flights... 3 Level of Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use... 4 Conclusions... 6 Appendix A: Annotated Questionnaire... 7 Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll iv
List of Figures Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered... 2 Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use... 4 List of Tables Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered, by Age... 3 Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use, by Age... 5 Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll v
Executive Summary In an effort to learn more about how adults use their cell phones and view the cell phone usage habits of others, in April 2010, AARP Research & Strategic Analysis fielded a short telephone survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,014 cell phone users ages 18 and older. Key Findings Whether shopping, traveling, or dining out, cell phone users reported answering their phones in a variety of settings. For example, nearly six in ten cell phone users said they answer their phones in restaurants, while more than half said they do so in store checkout lines, on public transportation, and in fast-food order lines. Another four in ten reported that they answer their cell phones in restrooms. Cell phone usage appears to be less common in concert halls, movie theaters, or places of worship, with less than one-fifth of cell phones users saying they answer their phone at live performances (such as at concerts or the theater), one in nine saying they do so at movie theaters, and only one in twenty saying they do so at religious services. More than four in ten cell phone users said they use their phone while driving, but only one in ten reported texting while driving. Nearly half of cell phone users said they oppose cell phone use on commercial airline flights, while four in ten said they favor allowing such use. Another twelve percent of cell phone users said they are not sure. Cell phone users have high levels of annoyance with the cell phone habits of others. Specifically, nine in ten reported that a ringing cell phone in a theater, library, or meeting is either very or mildly annoying to them, while slightly fewer said the same thing about someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places. Additionally, roughly three-quarters of cell phone users reported that three situations are very annoying or mildly annoying to them: when someone texts while talking with them, when someone is driving and talking on a cell phone, and when someone interrupts a conversation to take a call. Conclusions Results from this survey suggest a generational divide in the cell phone usage habits and preferences of U.S. adults. Although cell phone users of all ages report answering their phones in a variety of venues, younger ones are more likely than older ones to say they answer their phones in all eight of the locations they were asked about. They are also more likely to report using their cell phones while driving and to say they text while driving. Additionally, younger cell phone users are more likely than older ones to report being not bothered or being only mildly annoyed when other individuals use their cell phones in public places, while driving, or for texting while conversing with them. In contrast, older cell phone users said that someone using their cell phone in each of the four scenarios they were asked about would be very annoying to them. Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 1
Background In April 2010, AARP Research & Strategic Analysis contracted with Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) to field a telephone survey among a nationally representative sample of cell phone users ages 18 and older to learn more about how individuals use their cell phones and how they perceive the cell phone habits of others. In this survey, respondents were asked about locations where they may or may not answer their cell phones. They were also asked about their cell phone and texting habits while driving as well as whether they support or oppose the use of cell phones on commercial airline flights. Finally, they were asked about their own level of tolerance when others use their cell phones in a variety of settings. Detailed Findings 1 Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered As noted in Figure 1, nearly six in ten (59%) cell phone users said they answer their phones in restaurants, while more than half said they do so in store checkout lines (56%), on public transportation (55%), and in fast-food order lines (51%). Another four in ten (42%) reported that they answer their cell phones in restrooms. Less than one-fifth (17%) of cell phones users said they answer their phone at live performances (such as at concerts or the theater), one in nine (11%) do so at movie theaters, and only one in twenty (5%) do so at religious services. Figure 1 Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered (n=1,014) Restaurants Store checkout lines Public transportation Fast-food order lines Restrooms Live performances Movie theaters Religious services 59% 56% 55% 51% 42% 17% 11% 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Source: Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll, June 2010 1 Respondents in this study are aged 18 and older, with six in ten (60%) between the ages of 18 and 49 and roughly four in ten (38%) ages 50 and older. Slightly more than half are women (51%) and slightly less than half are men (49%). Roughly seven in ten (69%) are white, non-hispanic; one in nine (11%) are black, non-hispanic; thirteen percent are Hispanic. Four in ten had a high school education (30%) or less (13%), while one-quarter (24%) had some college or technical training and roughly three in ten had a college (19%) or post-graduate education (10%). More than one-quarter (27%) have household incomes of less than $30,000 per year, while slightly less than one-fifth (15%) have household incomes of $30,000-$49,999 per year. Thirteen percent reported an annual household income of $50,000-$74,999, while roughly one-quarter (24%) reported an annual household income of $75,000 or more. Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 2
As noted in Table 1, cell phone users ages 18-49 are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say they answer their phone in each of the eight locations they were asked about. Table 1 Locations Where Cell Phones are Answered By Age 18-49 (n=604) 50+ (n=390) At movie theaters 15% 4% In restaurants 69% 45% At live performances (concerts, theater, etc.) 24% 6% At religious services 6% 3% In store checkout lines 64% 44% In fast-food order lines 60% 37% In restrooms 50% 32% On public transportation 68% 35% Notably, there are no gender differences in locations where cell phones are answered, but there are three sites where less affluent respondents are more likely than more affluent ones to report answering their phones: in restaurants (72% of those with annual household incomes of less than $25,000 vs. 59% of those with incomes between $25,000 and $49,000 and 58% of those with incomes of $75,000 or more), in store checkout lines (68% vs. 53% and 59%), and in movie theaters (18% vs. 9% and 9%). Phoning and Texting While Driving More than four in ten (44%) cell phone users said they use their phone while driving, but only one in ten (10%) reported texting while driving. Cell phone users ages 18-49 are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say they use their cell phone while driving (53% vs. 29%). Additionally, while there are no gender differences in cell phone use while driving, less affluent respondents are less likely than their more affluent counterparts to report such use (33% vs. 46%, 50%, and 61%). As for texting while driving, cell phone users ages 18-49 are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say they text while driving (16% vs. 1%). But, there are no gender or income differences in such behavior. Opinions about Cell Phone Use on Commercial Airline Flights Nearly half (46%) of cell phone users said they oppose cell phone use on commercial airline flights, while four in ten (40%) cell phone users said they favor allowing such use. Another twelve percent of cell phone users said they are not sure. While there are no age or gender differences in respondents opinions about allowing cell phone use on commercial airline flights, responses vary by income level. Specifically, cell phone users with annual household incomes of less than $25,000 or with incomes between $25,000 and $49,999 are more likely than those with incomes between $50,000 and $74,999 to say they oppose allowing cell phone use on commercial airlines (52% and 47% vs. 32%). Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 3
Level of Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use Figure 2 Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use (n=1,014) A ringing cell phone in a theater, library, meeting, etc 70% 20% 10% Someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places 55% 30% 15% Someone texting while talking with you 50% 28% 19% Someone driving and talking on a cell phone 51% 25% 23% Someone interrupting a conversation to take a call 37% 38% 23% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Very annoying Mildly annoying Doesn't bother you Source: Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll, June 2010 Notably, as shown in Figure 2, cell phone users have high levels of annoyance with the cell phone habits of others. Specifically, nine in ten (90%) cell phone users reported that a ringing cell phone in a theater, library, or meeting is either very annoying (70%) or mildly annoying (20%) to them, while slightly fewer (85%) said someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places is either very annoying (55%) or mildly annoying (30%) to them. Additionally, roughly three-quarters of cell phone users reported that three situations are very annoying or mildly annoying to them: when someone texts while talking with them (50% very annoying, 28% mildly annoying), when someone is driving and talking on a cell phone (51% very annoying, 25% mildly annoying), and when someone interrupts a conversation to take a call (37% very annoying, 38% mildly annoying). Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 4
Table 2 Tolerance for Others Cell Phone Use By Age Doesn t Mildly Very 18-49 (n=604) Bother Annoying Annoying Someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public 33% 50% 16% places Someone interrupting a conversation to take a call 24% 40% 34% Ringing cell phone in a theater, library, meeting, etc. 11% 11% 66% Someone driving and talking on a cell phone 29% 25% 45% Someone texting while talking with you 25% 32% 42% Doesn t Bother Mildly Very Annoying Annoying 26% 61% 50+ (n=390) Someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places 13% Someone interrupting a conversation to take a call 20% 36% 42% Ringing cell phone in a theater, library, meeting, etc. 7% 17% 75% Someone driving and talking on a cell phone 15% 24% 59% Someone texting while talking with you 11% 22% 61% As noted in Table 2, cell phone users ages 18-49 are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say they are not bothered by someone driving and talking on a cell phone (29% vs. 15%) or by someone texting while talking with them (25% vs. 11%). They are more likely than those ages 50 and older to report that someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places (33% vs. 26%) and someone texting while talking with them (32% vs. 22%) are mildly annoying to them. In contrast, cell phone users ages 50 and older are more likely than those ages 18-49 to report that each of the five scenarios they were asked about are very annoying to them: someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places (61% vs. 50%); someone interrupting a conversation to take a call (42% vs. 34%); a ringing cell phone in a theater, library, or meeting (75% vs. 66%); someone driving and talking on a cell phone (59% vs. 45%); and someone texting while talking with them (61% vs. 42%). As for gender differences in tolerance for others cell phone use, men are more likely than women to say that someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places doesn t bother them (18% vs. 11%). In contrast, women are more likely than men to say they are very annoyed by the same situation: someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places (59% vs. 50%). They are also more likely than men to be very annoyed by someone driving and talking on a cell phone (56% vs. 46%). Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 5
In terms of income differences, cell phone users with annual household incomes of less than $75,000 are more likely than those with incomes above that level to report that someone interrupting a conversation to take a call (26%, 23%, and 25% vs. 13%) or someone texting while talking to them (27%, 19%, and 20% vs. 11%) doesn t bother them. Moreover, cell phone users with annual household incomes of less than $25,000 are more likely than those with incomes of $75,000 or more to say a ringing cell phone in a theater, library, or meeting (14% vs. 5%) doesn t bother them. In contrast, cell phone users with incomes of $75,000 are more likely than their less affluent counterparts to report being very annoyed by a ringing cell phone in those situations (81% vs. 61%, 67%, and 71%). Conclusions Results from this survey suggest a generational divide in the cell phone usage habits and preferences of U.S. adults. Although cell phone users of all ages report answering their phones in a variety of venues, younger ones are more likely than older ones to say they answer their phones in all eight of the locations they were asked about. They are also more likely to report using their cell phones while driving and to say they text while driving. Additionally, younger cell phone users are more likely than older ones to report being not bothered or being only mildly annoyed when other individuals use their cell phones in public places, while driving, or for texting while conversing with them. In contrast, older cell phone users said that someone using their cell phone in each of the four scenarios they were asked about would be very annoying to them. Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 6
Appendix A: Annotated Questionnaire Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 7
1. Do you have a working cell phone? Cell Phone Etiquette Survey 2 (n=1,014 Cell Phone Users 18+) Yes 100% No ----- 2. I m going to read you a short list of locations where you may or may not answer your cell phone. For each one, please tell me if you answer cell phone calls there. For example at movie theaters? <Please rotate list.> [PERCENTAGE YES] At movie theaters 11% In restaurants 59% At live performances (concerts, theater, etc.) 17% At religious services 5% In store checkout lines 56% In fast-food order lines 51% In restrooms 42% On public transportation 55% 3. Do you use your cell phone while driving? Yes 44% No 56% 4. Do you text while driving? Yes 10% No 90% 5. Do you favor or oppose allowing cell phone use on commercial airline flights? Favor 40% Oppose 46% Don t Know/Refused 12% 6. What is your level of tolerance when you encounter the following? (Doesn t bother me; mildly annoying; very annoying) <Please rotate list.> Doesn t Bother Mildly Annoying Very Annoying Total (n=1,014) Someone talking loudly on a cell phone in public places 15% 30% 55% Someone interrupting a conversation to take a call 23% 38% 37% Ringing cell phone in a theater, library, meeting, etc. 10% 20% 70% Someone driving and talking on a cell phone 23% 25% 51% Someone texting while talking with you 19% 28% 50% 2 Weighted data are presented in the annotated questionnaire. Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 8
Demographic Characteristics We re almost finished. I just have a few additional questions that I d like to ask for classification purposes. What is your age as of your last birthday? years 18-49 60% 50+ 38% Refused 2% Are you male or female? Male 49% Female 51% Are you or your spouse or partner currently a member of AARP? Yes 44% No 54% Don t Know 2% What is your current marital status? Married 55% Widowed 5% Divorced 7% Separated 3% Never married 29% What is the highest level of education that you completed? Less than high school 13% High school graduate 30% Some college beyond high school 24% Technical training beyond high school 2% College graduate 19% Post-graduate or professional degree 10% Which of the following best describes your current employment status? Employed or self-employed full-time 50% Employed or self-employed part-time 14% Retired and not working 16% Unemployed and looking for work 6% Other such as homemaker 5% student 5% Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 9
What best describes your race? White, non-hispanic 69% Black, non-hispanic 11% Hispanic 10% Refused 12% Households are sometimes grouped according to income. Please indicate which group best estimates your annual household income before taxes. (Check only one.) Less than $10,000 7% $10,000 to $19,999 8% $20,000 to $29,999 12% $30,000 to $39,999 8% $40,000 to $49,999 7% $50,000 to $74,999 13% $75,000 or more 24% Don t Know / Refused 15% Thank you very much for your time. Your responses are important to us! Cell Phone Etiquette: An AARP Bulletin Poll 10