Cyber Aware encourages a Tech Free 15

Cyber Aware encourage people to take a break from smartphones to improve wellbeing and cyber security.

With new research demonstrating the scale of smartphone use across the UK, the government’s Cyber Aware campaign is encouraging everyone to have a #techfree15 minutes to install their software and app updates, to protect themselves from cyber crime

New data from Cyber Aware suggests that 26% of people surveyed spend more than 3 hours a day on their smartphones. This is despite the fact that over half (52%) agree that they would benefit from taking a short  break from their smartphones.

Results from people aged 16-75 responding to the Ipsos Mori online poll also showed:

• When forced to go without their smartphones during the past 12 months, over a quarter (26%) of people surveyed agreed that they had felt anxious about what they were missing
• Nearly half (46%) of people surveyed have checked their smartphones during dinner with family or friends
• Well over a third (38%) surveyed admit to missing what a friend, partner or family member was saying because they were distracted by their smartphone
• 45% of people surveyed have taken their smartphones to the toilet to check them
• 1 in 5 of those surveyed in a relationship (20%) sneak a peak at their mobiles under the duvet

Cyber Aware is encouraging everyone to have a #techfree15 minutes to install their software and app updates, and to use the time to do something positive from talking a walk in their local park to have a tech free time before bed. Software and app updates contain security updates which are designed to fix weaknesses in software and apps which could be used by hackers to attack your device and steal your identity.

For more information on how to protect yourself against cyber crime, head over to the Bira Cyber Aware resource page .