Do You Have Good Mobile Etiquette, or Are You Guilty of Digital Over-Sharing?

Intel’s annual “Mobile Etiquette” survey, published this past week, revealed information on the current state of mobile manners and behaviors related to how people are sharing online via their mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, netbooks, laptops and Ultrabook devices).

Eighty-one percent of U.S. adults believe mobile manners are becoming worse (compared to 75 percent of U.S. adults surveyed by Intel a year ago), and 92 percent of U.S. adults wish people practiced better mobile etiquette in public (that number remained steady compared to a year ago).

This year, Intel’s annual “Mobile Etiquette” survey looked a bit deeper into what and how people are sharing and consuming information online via their mobile devices. The survey revealed positive news (we all love our devices and being connected anytime, anywhere), but it also raised some issues related to digital sharing and the idea of over-sharing (information overload anyone?).

Sixty-five percent of U.S. adults admit feeling better connected with and informed about their family and friends regardless of where they are because they are able to connect online through photo sharing, video chatting, etc. with their mobile devices. Living a state away from my immediate family and being on the road often for business travel, I have to say this is one of my very favorite things about having mobile Internet-enabled devices – I can easily keep in touch with family and friends and be up to date on what is happening in their lives.

On the flip side, it seems U.S. adults (according to the Intel survey) are also becoming annoyed by what they feel are digital (over)sharing pet peeves, including: people who constantly complain (59 percent), people who post inappropriate/explicit photos (55 percent), and people who share information that they would consider to be private (53 percent). Sadly, I can think of numerous examples just from today of people I heard talking on their smartphone sharing information about a recent visit to the doctor (something I would consider to be very private) as well as someone who I am connected with via my personal social networks who is a notorious “Debbie Downer” and constantly complaining – even about the smallest things in life.

Share with us… What do you believe is the biggest Mobile Etiquette faux pas or Digital (Over)Sharing pet peeve? On the positive side of things, what’s your favorite thing about being able to share and consume information on the go via your mobile devices? Do you believe people are finding ways to strike a balance in using their mobile devices in positive ways to stay connected, or have you also experienced some folks in your circles who are known as over-sharers?

As an innovator behind the technology powering mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, netbooks, laptops and Ultrabook systems) and mobile lifestyles, Intel is on a continued quest to understand consumers’ changing mobile usage models, how it impacts consumers’ lives, and how technology should evolve in the future. This drives Intel innovation to create the technology experiences that people desire and love.

For more information related to Intel’s 2012 “Mobile Etiquette” survey findings, please check out Intel’s news release titled, “Intel Survey Finds ‘Digital Over-Sharing’ is Leading Mobile Etiquette Faux Pas.” Hear a discussion about the most latest Intel survey findings by listening to the recently-held audio conference call held with Intel Fellow Dr. Genevieve Bell.