Analytics Expert Blog

“To not have a keitai (mobile phone) is to be walking blind, disconnected from just-in-time information on where and when you are in the social networks of time and place.”

- Mizuko Ito, Tokyo, 2003

It is clear that the billions of “always on” mobile phones have altered the balance of personal time versus social time. Withstanding group pressure and not being always available seems almost impossible — it’s the new taboo. But it’s not just social exceptions. Ever wake in the night and check emails, text messages, Tweets, and perhaps even foursquare check-ins? Welcome to the club.

We recently noticed at PercentMobile another traditional boundary to give way to the pressure of those billions of mobile phones. The weekend. Traditionally, Internet usage drops around 21% on weekends, but on mobile phones we’re seeing that weekend Internet usage drops only about 9%. Mobile phones are flattening the rhythms of our lives. Enjoy with caution.