With Valentines Day less than a week away, Intel Security also seems to be toying with the concept of love and relationships. But, there may be a stark difference between how the two of you — Intel and reader — look at the occasion. Intel’s security researchers instead of taking the traditional date route decided to study the consequences of connected living on human relationships — with friends and significant others.
A global study called ‘Three’s Company: Lovers, Friends and Devices’ was recently carried out by researchers to understand online behavior of individuals. The primary aim of this study was, however, to understand the role of devices and an individual’s relationship with connected humans. And it has been revealed that the situation in India is harrowing — not too disturbing, though.
One doesn’t need to hit the bull’s eye to know that connected devices have already taken an important spot in our day-to-day lives. And this has been corroborated via Intel’s research, which shows that an Indian on average spends 43 percent of his daily life online. This is less than the 40 percent time he might spend interacting with other humans. This lifestyle has not only crept into our homes but also relationships as well.
Further, the report reveals that more than 57 percent Indian users had to compete with their partner’s device for attention on a first date. It also revealed that the competition didn’t end on their first date, instead the poor device usage increased. About 60 percent of adults have to fight for the attention of their partners when they were spending time together. They were of the opinion that the devices have become like an individual entity in their relationship. The official release reads as under,
The poor device usage behavior doesn’t stop after the first date. In fact, 60% of adults thought that their partner paid more attention to their own device when they were together one-on-one. You could say that our devices have become the “other (wo)man” in the relationship.
Though the partners are displeased with excessive device usage, the study further reveals that 24 percent Indian couples don’t set boundaries on device usage when they are together. But, 33 percent of coupled in the research said that they do set some ground rules when going out to dine, attend a party or whatever. But, there’s another significant statistic about device usage which might amaze you.
Intel’s research reveals that couples have also developed an unhealthy practice of password sharing as well. Today, 46 percent couples share passwords to social media accounts, 38 percent share passwords to personal email accounts. But, the most shocking revelation is that more than 35 percent adults also share work related password with their significant other.
Thus, Intel Security has suggested some tips to help consumers stay safe in their “love affair” while maintaining access to their devices. The company suggests everyone install an anti-virus software, set up two-factor authentication and password managers to secure their account. They have also been advised to use random alphanumeric strings and purge their smartphones of all personal information. But, it would be even better if either of them takes some time away from their device and focus on human relationships.
