Always with you

Cell phone on the toilet an urgent must for many

More than one in two men, but only around four in ten women in the five countries surveyed use their smartphone while sitting on the toilet.(Bild: Yakobchuk Olena)

42 percent of Austrians use their cell phones to pass the time on the toilet. The figure is slightly higher among our neighbors in Switzerland (45 percent) and significantly higher in Italy (63 percent), according to a YouGov survey commissioned by online retailer Galaxus. 

Of those Austrians who use their smartphone on the toilet, 17% always do so, 29% often, 44% occasionally and one in ten only rarely.

People in Germany and France were also asked about their cell phone use in the restroom. A total of 2547 people aged 15 and over took part in the representative survey, 500 in Austria, Galaxus reported. Across all respondents in the five countries, the younger people are, the more often they use their cell phones in the bathroom. Around seven out of ten (71 percent) under-30s do this, compared to only 24 percent of the 60-plus generation.

Social media, news and chats
More than one in two men (52%), but only around four in ten women (43%) in the five countries surveyed use their smartphone while sitting on the toilet. 67% of cell phone users consume social media such as Facebook, TikTok or Instagram while on the toilet. Four out of ten (40 percent) read, listen to or watch news. Chatting via WhatsApp, Threema etc. is almost as popular (37%). One in three (33%) read or write emails on the toilet and 30% play mobile games.

Scratches on the smartphone or on the phone case can easily harbor germs, according to the press release. Cell phones and hands should therefore be cleaned regularly, is the advice.