Assignment B: Mobile Strategy and Psychology

On the day that I monitored my mobile content use, I started my day by checking the weather on my phone. During the day I checked my texts and emails a few times. I also used the camera for the selfie assignment in class. For professional use, I checked my employer’s Facebook page once and my work email twice as I was away from the office.

In the evening at home I found myself grabbing my phone about every 30 minutes, but only for a specific purpose. I was busy, so for entertainment I only browsed Facebook after I was done all my chores. I ended up briefly using utility apps such as Evernote and flashlight, and tools on my phone such as the alarm clock and the calendar.

As usual, I mostly used my phone in the evening on the couch while the TV was on. The most enjoyable use was checking Facebook and seeing photos and updates from friends and family, as it keeps me connected to them no matter where they live. About 90% of the content was for personal use. As the infographic at the end of this blog post states, the majority of people use a mobile device while watching TV. 

The day I monitored my use is a fairly accurate reflection of my mobile content usage, although I typically use my phone a bit more for entertainment.  I use my work cell phone only when I am not in the office during the day.  About 95% of my mobile use is for personal purposes. I believe this article and the infographic describes my mobile usage very well: https://hbr.org/2013/01/how-people-really-use-mobile

I don’t think I use my cell phone too much. Seeing this video about year ago prompted me to become more conscious of my mobile use, and as mentioned, I try use my phone with a specific purpose in mind and for a limited time.  I have turned off all notifications. I am on my phone for longer periods of time only when I am by myself. 

With that said, I think my phone is a valuable tool and I would not want to part with it. My phone is my access to entertainment, news, information, my friends and family, and several useful tools to keep myself organized. It is also my camera and camcorder on the go. I hardly ever play games and never actually shop on my phone, although I do research and browse.

However, here is an interesting blog post on what people would give up to keep their mobile phones. This list confirms that I am not too badly addicted, as the only thing I wouldn't mind giving up is chocolate. 

Assignment B - Mobile Strategy and Psychology

After tracking my mobile usage for one day I was surprised at how often and for how long I actually do use it. I originally thought that my usage was extremely limited and that I only used it for texting and calling friends and family but I have learnt that I use it so much more than I thought!

Here’s how my daily mobile use breaks down:

Use	% Time Used	Personal / Work	Where am I?
Facebook	50%	personal	bus / LRT or waiting somewhere
Facebook	5%	work	anywhere
Twitter	2%	work	anywhere
My Fitness Pal	5%	personal	anywhere
Weather	2%	personal	anywhere
Games	30%	personal	bus / LRT or waiting somewhere
Texting	5%	personal	anywhere
Phone	1%	personal	anywhere

I suppose I use my mobile more to escape the boredom of waiting or using public transportation more than anything else and Facebook and games are a great way to do that. I enjoy being able to lose myself and escape the hustle and bustle by either connect with family and friends or playing a game. Of course an added joy of Facebook is that, with family and friends all over the world I am able to connect with them as and when I have time, and unlike a phone call, I don’t ever have to worry about time zones and how many hours difference there are or are they home - I am able to connect and in the same light they can respond as and when they choose.

In my case, as I mentioned above, I was very surprised at just how much I actually use my mobile and I believe that it quite accurately reflects my current use. While tracking my usage was surprising it did not raise any questions for me, but perhaps gave me a greater appreciation when I switch everything off and step away from it. Although this is a part of my life and I would miss the convenience if it was taken away completely, it is not, to date, such an integral part of my life that I feel I can’t step away. I truly enjoy actual in-person interaction far more than any other form of communication.

Mobile Strategy and Psychology (Assignment B) #EXSM5513

I use my mobile a lot during the day for personal usage. According to my records I used my mobile device in one way or another at least once or twice an hour from 6:00am to 10:00pm on the day of the mobile monitoring experiment. It has become second nature for me to use my mobile devices instead of a wristwatch, a calendar, a camera, a diary, a map, a mailed letter, a newspaper and so on, in both my personal and work life. The below is an account of how, when and why I used my mobile device on the day I was monitoring and tracking my usage.

•  Time: On the day of the mobile usage experiment I used my mobile device (iphone) for telling time throughout the day and as an alarm clock to wake me up in the morning. Can't be late for my Online and Mobile Marketing and Commerce course at the U of A Faculty of Extension! For three years I did not have a wristwatch as I relied on my iphone to tell time and to look at what date/day it is. Even now that I have a wind-up watch, and only because one was gifted to me, I still reach for my iphone first to check the time. In winter time I like not having to try and roll-up the multiple layers of selves (coats, jackets, long sleeved tops) to look at my wristwatch! It is so much easier to click my iphone and VOILA I know the time!

• Reading and catching up: I am quite a social creature, particularly with my friends and family. On the day I was monitoring and tracking my mobile I checked my Facebook, Twitter and texts throughout the day to read newly posted/tweeted/texted messages from friends and family, and posted/tweeted/texted my own posts and/or images. I checked my mobile device for these actions at least once every two hours throughout the day! I replied to emails and text messages, and created new texts and emails, the latter via my Gmail app. I no longer have to go to my computer room in my basement at home in the morning to check my emails or social networking sites, or have to sit on the bus not being able to access my emails or social networking sites until I get to work or home, as I can access them on my phone. I like having the choice to check my emails and social networking sites when, where and how I want to. I find it useful to receive e-alerts and notifications as I tend to be absent minded, and use the iphone Calendar app plus the Gmail app calendar to input meetings, classes and social appointments so that I don't forget. I tend to check my mobile calendars each morning, as sometimes I miss the alerts that I receive on my phone. Again this has taken the place of a physical calendar that I used to carry around with me with all my meetings and events listed. (PS: Don't be ashamed of toilet texting, more people do it than you realise.! This Slate blog article opens up the murky world of toilet texting.)

• Navigation: I used my Google Maps app to plan my travel via public transportation to and from the Faculty of Extension. I find this very useful as it takes the fear out of missing a bus or train, and that I can reach my destination. I used to always carry a paper map but no longer have need for this. I love being able to use the Google Maps app to guide me as I walk to a destination that I have never been to before, with the dot following along in real time on a map so I know where I am and where I am heading to. It is reassuring as a woman alone in a new area of the city or a new city or country to know that I can navigate the terrain with confidence and all with the click on an app on my iphone.

• Connecting with friends and family (both near and far)
  At the end of the mobile monitoring day I managed to Skype  (using the Skype app on my iPhone) with a friend in Australia even though I was not in my house (thus not near my desktop computer). My mobile device has increased the sense of connection that I feel with friends and family who live far away.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Researching (jobs): I checked for jobs on various job sites at least three times on the day of the mobile usage experiment. I am not working at the moment and so I tend I to use my mobile device on a daily basis to check for job openings in my sector of communications/media relations/social media . I can see immediately what jobs are available as they are updated hourly, daily and weekly, and I can check them no matter where I am. This replaces searching the newspaper for jobs. 

Taking images and posting them to social networking sites 
I had put up our Christmas tree and decorated it the night before my monitoring and tracking of my mobile usage - Martha Stewart eat your heart out - and the next morning I wanted to share it with friends and family far-away and so posted it to my Facebook. I am an avid photographer and mobile devices are growing in leaps and bounds in the realm of photographic quality and potential. I tend to find that I do not carry my camera with me as much as I used to and just use my phone. As I am planning a wedding next year I can find myself easily getting immersed in Pinterest on an almost daily basis, checking out what wedding colour schemes might look good together, what bridesmaid dresses my maid of honour (who lives in Greece, might like, flower arrangements and so much more (that until know I had been very happily unaware of in relation to the wedding industry)! On the day of my mobile monitoring and tracking I checked Pinterest at least four times on my mobile device, looking at wedding related images and sending images and links to my maid of honour.

Checking my bank account - On the day I was tracking my mobile usage, I accessed my bank account once, via my BMO app on my mobile device, as I had a bill to pay. Being able to access my bank account via mobile device and e-banking is co convenient. I no longer have to take time out of my busy life to visit a bank, which is only open on certain days and at certain times. I no longer have to take a bus or lrt to the bank as my bank account are now accessible 24/7 via my mobile device.

Music: As I got ready in the morning, and when I was getting ready for bed, I brought my mobile device into my bathroom and I listened to music via the Spotify app. This has replaced my radio that I used to own and keep beside my bed. I enjoy being able to be my own dj, choosing the tracks that I want to listen to and in what order. The Tech Blog (Future Shop) describes Spotify as being "among the best" of the music streaming entities that are available out there.

I think tracking my use for one day gave a pretty accurate reflection of my current use of my mobile. Though believe it or not I do use it less now than I would if I was working in my sector of communications and media relations. When I was working as the communications coordinator at the U of A Faculty of Law I would check my mobile often for work emails on my way to and from work, post tweets related to the Faculty of Law, and check how stories and images that I posted via my computer looked when they were viewed on a mobile device as studies have shown that most students accessed information first via their mobile devices.

This assignment has shown me that I am a daily and regular mobile user and that my usage is quite varied. Maybe I could do with putting down the mobile now and then and do something else, but I enjoy the convenience that the mobile device gives me, plus most of what I use my mobile device for I was already using other items/devices/options for this - print maps, wristwatch, email via desktop computer, etc. For me, in relation to my life and work, my mobile allows me to organize my life using one device rather than having to wear or carry all the physical items that I used to, a watch, a diary, a calendar, a map and so on. Checking my mobile is quite addictive, always wanting to be up-to-date with what is going on, to be reading the latest news, taking and sending information and images to friends, and using it for work. It can indeed be hard to not automatically click on my mobile when I hear/see the notifications, email alerts, etc. But as my career is related to communications and media relations, and I like to personally keep in touch with friends and family who live faraway, the pros of using a mobile device far outweigh the cons.I find my mobile and what I can use it for to be a blessing rather than a curse, as I can use my mobile device whenever, wherever and however I want.

Mobile Strategy and Psychology - Assignment B (Gary)

Personal Profile Summary

Average Smartphone Usage

I notice my mobile usage is very similar to the average listed at the on the Average Smartphone Usage by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American life Project back in 2011.

I like to leave me phone turned off at night, so my day begins with turning my phone on first thing in the morning and check the weather in preparation for the day. And then immediately after that, I check my 3 linked emails on my phone, 2 personal and 1 work-related, to see if there are any important emails I missed overnight and remove what I consider as “junk” out of my inboxes.  I’m fairly consistent with these 2 actions in the morning to a point it almost became automatic.

As I mentioned before, I have my work email setup on my phone and I can’t help it to look at it every time my phone vibrates for attention; for I receive quite a bit of email communication with my colleagues, clients, and suppliers daily. This then take up most of my usage on my mobile device. Another major area that I use my mobile device for is entertainment. Throughout the day, I jump in and out of my phone to check on Facebook and Instagram for status updates, as well as occasionally reply to text messages as they come in. I also take a few minute here and there to check on some the games that I installed and apps that prompts me with notifications. Reading on the feeds from the Flipboard App also is one of my daily routines. That goes on for the remaining of the day until I shut it off at night around 10:00pm.

Personal Assessment:

Although I don’t keep my phone on all day long, but I do feel like that I’m extremely attached to it when my phone is within my reach; especially with the work email connected to the phone. As a rough estimate, I would say I’m on my phone at least 20 minutes of any given hour, 90% of it would be work related and the rest (10%) goes to personal activities. The demand for attention to the work email was so overwhelmed to a point that even having time-off doesn't necessary steer me away from checking the work email. Apparently, I was not the only person who experience that. The article from iPass “MobileWorkforce Survey results: Section 2: To Connect or Disconnect?” shows that people stay connected to work even during their scheduled vacation time.

Do you connect to technology when on vacation for work or personal reasons?

Just to put everything in context, my mobile usage focuses mostly on email and messaging; communication related activities makes up most of my mobile usage. I like the idea of instant connection and I don’t have to delay my respond regardless of the content. Tracking my usage in one day does give me a “full picture” and help me realise how attached I am to it. It leads me to understand how much time I spent on work related item compare to my personal usage. I also notice that I rarely use my cell phone for buying and shopping purposes.

Just for fun though, it is hard not to compare what the actual statistic on messaging, and I found this image on “Toilet Texting”. Do I do that? (…maybe!?!)

Toilet Texting

With that being said, I'm a prime target for email marketing given the fact that I'm on that function all the time. I'm open to the idea and I don't feel bombarded because I'm always very careful to them, I do clear up my email all the time, things like unsubscribe to irrelevant or poorly design emails, keep the one that capture my attention and interest - things that are tailor to my need. My experience with email marketing is actually very similar to those who got interview by BlueHornet. here is their video for "Consumer Views of Email Marketing 2013: On-the-Street Interviews".

Consumer Views of Email Marketing 2013: On-the-Street Interviews

Finally, I think I'm too prominent to notifications on my phone. Every time the phone vibrate is like a “call-to-action” for me to pick it up, both mobile notifications and received emails. I’m just glad that I turn my phone off at night just to have a break from all of these notifications. But if you ask me, are you using your mobile too much, I don’t think my answer is a definite “Yes”; maybe because I’ve already gotten use to the way I use my mobile device and the amount of time I spent on it. I have never consider turning off all the notifications because I like to stay on-top with things, and have a timely response for both work-related and personal messages. 

Assignment B - Mobile Strategy and Psychology

Mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives and provide more than their 'non-smart' predecessors ever could, but at what cost? We hear about traffic accidents being caused by drivers who use them without a hands free device while driving but I would argue this is only a small sliver of their use in our daily lives. They do more good than bad when the bigger picture is taken into account.


I was recently travelling to Edmonton and decided to use this day as a “tracking and monitoring” day. It was more eventful than I imagined at first but having that smartphone at my side did help me get through all that happened and safely to my destination.

When I looked at the stats from my day it showed the following:

• I communicated with a total of 7 people throughout the day via my mobile device.
• There were a total of 8 occasions, or sessions, in which I responded or engaged in work related topics through the day.
• There were 17 sessions of engagement with family throughout the day. These involved several messages sent back and forth, as well as social media engagement.
• I did access some video via Facebook and You Tube on one occasion and did look at some photos in some posts.

In looking at the profile of mobile use for the day, is showed that outside of checking on details of the trip to Edmonton, it allowed me to tie up some loose ends before I departed, both for personal and work purposes. I was able to set up my day and part of the week ahead by touching base with others to ensure they weren’t stuck while I was gone. Co-workers knew that I would have a phone by my side even though I would be away at training and if something important came along they could call me.

Keeping in touch with friends and family is a very important part of having a mobile device for me and is the source of ‘joy’ I get from having it. Since purchasing a smartphone several years ago I certainly notice a great difference in my ability to keep track of what is going on in the lives of others via Facebook, Twitter, email, text, and BBM messages. While I do engage with them more often now, I find our communication by telephone happens less and it feels less personal than an old fashioned telephone call. Even though my smartphone plan includes free calls within Canada, many friends and family tend to use text messages because of their low cost and ease of use. Although my device is Skype enabled, the costs of data can be a deterrent for use if there is no WiFi connection available. (Graphic - Mobile Phone Usage - source:  dontgetcaught.biz | Pinterest)

Does this one-day snapshot of mobile device use give a true picture of how I normally use it? I would have to say the day outlined is busier than usual for me. I do work in an office setting during the week and most people either come and see me, send me an email or call my office number. My mobile device mainly comes into play when I am away and is used for short messages about non-work related topics or for urgent matters which usually come in the form of a telephone call.

Tracking my use on this busier than usual day was interesting and did show the value of having a device, particularly a smartphone, in keeping the wheels of life turning. There were a couple of occasions where I was conscious of others in using it. I turned the volume off while eating in the restaurant so I wouldn’t ruin the meals of others sitting nearby.

Perhaps tracking use on this day was a testament to how mobile devices can add to one’s productivity. It would be hard to argue that I didn’t get much use out of it. In fact, I was thinking use of Google maps on the way to the hotel helped my focus on the icy roads and less looking for road signs.

Would I go back to life without a smartphone after looking at this day? Even though I was one of those people who held out on the decision to purchase a smartphone until about five years ago now that I have one I don’t think I could go back. The personal and work value it provides me is worth the cost of having it.Can I go without using my mobile device? Absolutely! There are occasions on weekends when I limit the number of times I check my phone. Sometimes it only gets checked once, proving I am not yet “mobile addicted” but am well on my way down that path.

Assignment B: How many is too many?

Posted by: Shannon Nicolson

Not an exact representation of my mobile device love

I'm almost always connected to my mobile devices - two iPhones (work and personal) and an iPad.

It starts early in the morning with the (annoying) buzz of my iPhone alarm clock and a quick scroll through Twitter, Facebook and my email newsletters to prepare myself for the day ahead.  I work in digital communications so it's important to stay connected to the issues and conversation happening online.

Depending on weather conditions, I may also check #yegtraffic on Twitter to see if there are any accidents or delays that may affect my commute.

I'm less likely to reach for my mobile device during the day if I'm working at my desk. I may even forget it at the bottom of my bag and only pull it out to check on my daughter to ensure she made it home okay.

If I'm not working at my desk, it becomes my lifeline to the office - especially if there's an issue. We're a small team and need to pull together when something comes up. This can include heavy social media monitoring, responding to emails and document sharing. Today, I listened to a radio interview on SoundCloud - an audio sharing site.

My mobile use ramps up in the evening. I'm often on call so I need to stay on top of my text messages. This is the preferred method to communicate with my boss, emails are for less urgent information. I may also exchange a few text messages with friends to catch up or make plans.

For the most part, my wifi is fired up for checking Twitter and Facebook (mainly for professional interest), pouring through my Feedly stream for the latest industry news, and scanning decor ideas on Pinterest, now that I'm a new homeowner-in-waiting. My iPad is my preferred device for checking into eClass and keeping up with my other online classes. When there is downtime, we may stream the latest episode of The 100 on Netflix. Occasionally, I use my mobile apps for e-banking or purchasing a movie ticket.

As much as I love being connected, I'm conscience of the need to put down my iPhone more often, especially when hanging out with the kidlet. I admit I'm addicted to the constant flow of information but it comes at an expense to my family. This viral video - an open letter telling moms to put down their phones - has been seen more than 6 million times. I glad I'm not the only guilty one!

All Over the Map - My Mobile Strategy and Psychology

I think that my phone is always in my hand except when I'm eating and driving and yes sadly when I am in the bathroom I use it.  For me it is the one place that my kids might not bother me about my cell phone use.





My day begins with checking my Facebook page and then immediately looking at Instagram.  I love to look and comment but rarely do I post.  I  fit into the 35% http://www.factbrowser.com/tags/instagram/ of adults who check the page more than once a day.  This article also states that 17% of teenagers say that Instagram is the most important social app however I would think that that number is much higher.  I probably check instagram to keep up with my teens and tht is the site they consider the most relevant at this time.



I would have to agree that I use 6 out of these 12 apps every morning without fail. That number could increase if my day was going to include an activity outside my usual schedule.  In the other app I would include the manage my Facebook page app.  I always check my stats first thing and to see if I need to respond to customers.







 I am also a huge fan of YouTube and use it to watch programs like Big Brother Australia that I would otherwise not have access to on regular t.v.  https://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.htm  I will make a commitment to to spend an hour on the treadmill at the gym if I can watch YouTube or Netflix on my mobile device.  I think the ability to stream video is a huge bonus for me in my personal and work mobile use.

The problem not talked about in today's world.   Women and gaming.  We still see it as a male problem but women have indeed surpassed men in online gaming use.  Mostly because of games, like Candy Crush, on mobile devices. http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/08/07/women-spend-more-time-and-money-on-mobile-games-than-men  It used to be that women shopped and hid the tags or receipts but I have friends who now hide the money they have spent on boosts for gaming apps.  I have to admit that I am incredibly cheap and won't buy boosts but I might go on to YouTube and learn a trick to pass a level.



I love my smartphone and all that it allows me to accomplish in a single day.  I am able to remain connected to family and friends around the world, bank, work, and play. I guess what I am trying to say is that I use my mobile device far to much.  It is like and appendage for me and it takes tremendous will for me to put it down at night.  my children recognised this long before me and that is why I hide in the bathroom.

Me and my mobile. Assignment B

My phone is just as important in my day as my pants.  Maybe more so...... 

When and Why do I use my mobile?

Depending on the time of day and my activity will determine my phone use.  When I am doing chores including feeding animals and hauling water my phone is tucked neatly into my cover-alls to avoid damage.  I will carry my phone but avoid using it when I am working with my horses.  One time a seemingly trained horse darted out from underneath while I was surfing Facebook.  lesson learned.

I will use my phone often during down time at work or boredom situations.  I will also use my phone more when I am travelling or eating alone.  I it is my theory that if I am on my phone I am not alone. I do not use my handheld while driving in traffic I have bluetooth. Wait do that count as using my mobile? 

What do I do with my phone?

I do not have one specific use for my phone.  I am most likely to surf social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.  I check my email 5-10 per day depending on how bored I am and I will check Facebook the same. My previous job and any time I travel especially in the winter I will frequent weather forecast apps, highway condition apps  I do not check my phone first thing in the morning or at night.  I first need coffee and I have a laptop. 

Shopping from my mobile device has been a hit and miss function for me.  I have not found the experience to be as pleasing as using a laptop or the store front.  If I am going to use a mobile device to buy it will be my Ipad. 

I travel and even live away from home 4-5 days per week.  My family and I rely on Facetime and Skype to stay in contact.  We can talk and text all day but it gives me a chance to say goodnight to my son and even kiss the screen. 

I have used U-tube on occasion but not enough to remember my username and password.  It was used predominantly for showcasing the horses I had trained and needed to sell.  I will watch U-tube videos but less likely on my Iphone but will watch on my Ipad on Wifi.

Pinterest is a platform I will use sporadically.  I never have enough follow through or time to take on any of those projects. 

Am I an Addict? 

Yes I am!! Am I any different from most of society? Nope.  I make an effort to disconnect to make sure my family has face time with me. I follow rules of etiquette despite what my mother-in-law says about me.  I am very conscious of what I post on Facebook.  I do not make large announcements unless it is already public knowledge, I do not post pictures or say things that can come back to haunt me.  I find this is really important. 

Do I need help? 

Depends who you ask! My aging family members chide me for being so connected but if anything I feel the need to keep up.  I see a world that has changed and we need to be adopting the technology and accepting it into our lives to stay current.  Knowing when to disconnect and remember the faces of those you love is important to stay in balance. 

Mobil Strategy and Psychology

My mobile usage in a day:

• 30% Emails
• 22% Messaging 
• 14% Pinterest
• 14% Facebook
• 10% Instagram
• 7% Twitter
• 3 % Random (banking/snapchat/weather)

Whether it be a work day or an off day, I'm using my mobile for predominately emails. Why? Most of my family, my mom, dad, and brother, are not in my time zone, nor in the country. As a result, e-mail works more effectively with data rates and notifications on our devices.

For work, e-mail works best, rather than texting or messaging, because it is a more formal approach and adds professionalism to the message.

Why e-mailing from my phone? Often it is because my phone is in front of me. At work, I travel a bit, picking up supplies or running around between buildings and since my phone is most often with me, it's easy to pick up and respond. Now, does this ad value? Yes and no. The ease of my work phone allows me to stay connected, yet disconnecting is far more difficult - like when I'm out for dinner with my husband or friends. Do I bring my work phone or no? Working shift work can be an issue, too, since not everyone in my municipality fully understands that I'm not scheduled Monday-Friday, 9-5.

When I'm home for my two days off, I actually turn off my notifications, sound and alerts on my work phone. It's my way of checking out and ensuring I get my two days off.

Next up is messaging or texting. I supervise a staff of 20 directly and then indirectly a staff of 65+. When my staff want to switch shifts, or are running late, text is the best mode of communication for them, thus I go to where they are. Moreover, when I do time sheets or need documents (like awards, criminal checks, or permission forms) I text my staff a reminder. The text works better than e-mail, probably because it's direct and intimidate. As you can see below, 98% of text are read versus only 22% of emails being read. I need to communicate with my staff, thus I text away!

Pinterest is far easier to use from my phone than on a desktop. Why? It's just the slide of a thumb and the item is added to your board - you're not taken away from the main pinboard and there is no need to navigate back. I'll use Pinterest to save recipes for dinner, add fall or winter dresses to a board in preparation for my staff holiday party - all while waiting in line at the grocery store or while taking a breather at work, in at attempt to 'de-stress'. At times, I'll use Pinterest for work - pinning educational games or holiday decorations that we could use around the centre.

As noted above, Facebook is sometimes used to stalk friends or to keep in touch with people. For me, I use Facebook to keep in touch with family. What my cousins are up to, and it's fun to watch their kids grow up. We also have a Facebook page for work that needs updating and since Facebook is blocked at work, using the app from my phone is smoother. One draw back to that, however, is that the notifications for my work Facebook page are linked to my personal phone. Learning to filter such notifications is a challenge at times.

Although Facebook has a high usage rate, other social media sites are also used often. The image above shows that Twitter is used more than Instagram - for me, it's the opposite. Why? Most likely because I follow more people on Instagram than on Twitter. I primarily use Twitter to stay updated on news, celebrity gossip, sports, travel and recipes. On Instagram, I follow photographers, other bloggers and friends. The images wash over easier than tweets, which is why Instagram is a go to in a quick moment.

In the end, I fit into the group who uses their mobile device the most. Shocking? No. I do not feel I use my mobile device too much - I have the ability to put them away, or even turn them off if I feel like I need some time. Moreover, I have built in hobbies, like sewing, working out and cooking that pull me away from my mobile device and give me space.

Each day, however, isn't the same. Work days are different from training days, which are both different from personal days spent on the couch watching Netflix. The tracking is helpful, yet is not a "full picture".

Tracking my personal usage has made it clear where, perhaps, I'm 'wasting time' and made me questions which apps are being used more than others and why.

It's My Bathroom and I'll Tweet if I want to..

by Crystal Armstrong

I am a Mom so judge me if you will, but my bathroom is my sanctuary and my tablet is coming with me...

Don't Lie, You Use your Tablet in the Bathroom Too!

I work in social media and have 2 small children under the age of 7. As such, my day starts like this;

• Wake up, 
• Reach for my phone/tablet 
• Head to the bathroom. 
• Use my Tablet to catch up on local/world news.
• Prepare the children for another morning filled with chaos..

The bathroom is the one place my children cannot bother me and as such, I catch up on: emails, social updates, post a few updates for my clients and sometimes, even catch an outtake of 'Jimmy Fallon, Lip Sinc battle'.It's only 6:30am and I already have 20 minutes logged on my tablet and I haven't left the bathroom yet! And I am not alone...

Data Usage

I would guess that my usage for the day from morning to night would be 10 hours/day. Which puts me under the American average: