Telenor, a Norway-based international telecommunications company, recently conducted a study with results showing how much Filipinos use their mobile phones for longer hours compared to other Asian countries.

The study titled “Digital Lives Decoded” surveyed a total of over 8,000 mobile internet users across Asian countries including the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in July 2022.

Survey results show that 73% of Filipinos admitted to spending at least 5 hours a day on their phones, same with Indonesia. In addition to this, the Philippines still tops social media usage with 70% of Filipino respondents admitting to using their phones for social media daily.

New insights have also come up through the study, including the perceived effects of mobile phones in today’s time. 93% of Filipino respondents surveyed have said that having a mobile phone improved their quality of life through strengthened personal relationships, efficiency in doing tasks and simply being in the loop with daily news and updates.

“It is often reported that mobile usage comes between people, distracting users from those around them and damaging relationships and interpersonal communication skills. However, this study dispels that notion,” said Telenor Asia head Jørgen Rostrup.

“Compared to before the pandemic, mobile data usage has more than doubled in most Asian markets, reshaping how we communicate at work and at home. Interestingly, this survey shows that people want the changes in digital use and their daily lives to stay. In fact, they continue to immerse themselves in a digital world despite rules on travel and social interaction being relaxed,” he added.

About 1 out of 4 Filipinos or 29% of the local respondents have said that they are always carrying around their mobile phones and are never without them. This shows an indispensable need to always have our mobile phones at arm’s length.

Another important factor in the rise of mobile phone usage is the increase in financial access through online banking and even online loan services. In fact, 92% of all respondents have said that mobile technology has improved their access to financial services and 57% perceive their financial access to have “significantly improved”.

“As mobile connectivity becomes even more fundamental to our daily lives, lacking the right skills and awareness, including to navigate safety and privacy issues, or being off the grid can severely restrict access to education, healthcare, economic and employment opportunities. We need to better understand digital gaps, and how to bridge them, as well as the carbon footprint of our online habits, as we work together to create a future where mobile connectivity is empowering and sustainable for all,” Rostrup explained.

Truly, mobile phones have become an indispensable essential for day-to-day living in today’s modern world.

featured image courtesy of CNN