PANIC MODE
Brits misplace their phones 48 times a year as tech addicts can’t live without devices
Almost four-fifths of people feel emotionally connected to their phones
SMARTPHONE users will misplace their device 48 times a year – nearly once-a-week.
A poll, of 2,500 smartphone users, found they enter “panic mode” after less than an hour without their device.
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Brits are using their phones more than ever, with 45 per cent of people saying they “wouldn’t be able to function” in daily life without it.
A staggering 83 per cent of people said that they felt emotionally connected to their smartphone.
SquareTrade, an AllState company, commissioned a study to test participants emotional responses to their possessions.
Mobile phones were included in the test.
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The results revealed phones hold as much sentimental value as our most cherished belongings.
Kevin Gillan, managing director for the insurance provider in Europe, said: “Our phones are more than just devices - they’re our lifelines, holding memories, finances, and personal connections.
"Yet, this research shows a major gap in protection, leaving millions vulnerable to loss, theft or damage.
"As reliance grows, we must rethink how we safeguard not just the device, but the personal data and digital identities within.”
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It was found that one in three people fear their device being stolen and fret about losing a raft of memories stored on their phone.
Yet only 20 per cent of phone owners say they have insurance, and nearly half doubt they can recover their data if their phone is lost or stolen.
Met Police seize 1,000 stolen phones in a week and arrest 230 people
The study also found that for 44 per cent of smartphone users, preserving photos and memories is more important than using their phone to communicate.
34 per cent of respondents said that they would contact their bank first, if their device went missing.
Worryingly, 22 per cent of people said that they weren't sure who to contact if their device was stolen.
Phone thefts have spiked in recent years, with more than 200 devices being snatched every day.
One commuter, named Niall McNamee, found that £21,000 was drained from his bank account after his smartphone was stolen on the tube.
In response to the sharp rise in thefts, Met Police have stepped up their efforts to catch the crooks.
They announced that they arrested 230 thieves in the first week of February and that they recovered over 1000 stolen phones.
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