70% of Brits say "NO" to partners without smartphones
Study reveals mobile overuse threatens healthy personal relationships
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 — Are you in love with your smartphone? You are not alone. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, a study by the mobile marketplace Shpock, in co-operation with YouGov, has shown that modern love is becoming more and more dependent on technology. The findings show that mobile usage is dominating and ending relationships. At the same time the same phones help to cope with breakups. [1]
Love is in the air but love for one’s smartphone appears to be defeating Cupid’s arrows amongst Brits in line with the course of a relationship. The study by Shpock shows that it is almost impossible to be in a relationship today without a smartphone. 70% of British mobile owners can’t imagine being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t also own a phone. Once in a relationship, mobiles can also have devastating consequences for couples. Not only do relationships fall apart because of cheating but also because of smartphone overuse. 13% complain about their partner’s excessive phone usage. Amongst the age group 25-34, this figure rises to 25%. Our addiction to mobiles is reinforced with a surprising 1 in 10 Brits admitting to rather spending a week without their partner than without their smartphone.
Brits cash in on their Exes
Smartphones are also key to getting back at exes post break up. On Shpock, more and more Brits are making money by selling belongings and unwanted gifts from ex partners and cashing in on any physical reminder of the broken relationship. Often the painful nature of the break up is reflected in the item description:
- Karla D: “cheating ex didn’t give me the original receipt”
- Sophie J: “In the break up, he refused to give me some of my stuff back. So I’m selling his gifts to make up the cost”
- Inan K: “I bought this for my ex-girlfriend but I broke up with her which is the reason why I want to sell it now”
- Olivia L: “I love it…but it was a present from my ex boyfriend”
“Although we see lots of ideal Valentine’s presents on Shpock, we also allow people the chance to cash in on items that are tainted with negative emotions”, explains Shpock spokesperson, Conor Gannon. “Post break up, most singles have items belonging of their ex-partner that bring back memories of the relationship. By selling these online, Brits are making money while simultaneously putting those memories behind them.”
[1] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2245 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)