BRITS TOP HALLOWEEN FEARS OF 2023 REVEALED From getting stuck in a lift to being without phone signal - Brits admit to what spooks them the most
42% of the nation say they have ‘nomophobia’ - the fear of being stuck without mobile phone connectivity
- Getting stuck in a lift, missing a flight and smashing your phone screen named as top fears for Brits this spooky season
- One in five (20%) are now more spooked out by being ghosted on a dating app than the thought of real ghosts this Halloween
- Tech separation anxiety was a recurring fright-fest as almost a quarter (23%) would prefer to hold a tarantula and 14% would rather swim with sharks than be without their phone for a week
- Research commissioned by Sky Mobile who has teamed up with psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos to give the nation advice on how to deal with ‘nomophobia’- the fear of being stuck without mobile phone connectivity
Getting stuck in a lift, missing a flight and smashing your phone screen have been named in the top fears this Halloween, according to new research released today.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of the nation say they are frightened of having no phone service, one in ten (11%) are terrified of slow WiFi speeds, and one in five (20%) are now more scared of being ghosted on a dating app than the thought of real ghosts.
The poll of 2,000 British adults by Sky Mobile found that sending a text to the wrong person, making a bad typo on an important email, and sitting next to someone with a cold on the tube also feature in the top 20 list.
Many Brits even confess to identifying with ‘nomophobia’ - the fear of being stuck without a working phone or connectivity – with 42% of the nation admitting to feeling terror at the thought of not having their phone with them.
Of those surveyed, nearly a quarter (23%) would prefer to hold a tarantula and 14% would rather swim with sharks than be without their phone for a week, and 15% say they would prefer to sleep in a haunted house than lose their 5G signal.
Paul Sweeney, Managing Director, Sky Mobile, said: “We use our phones for everything from keeping on top of life admin to staying connected to our loved ones so it’s no wonder that being left without data and losing phone signal can seem scary to Brits, but with Sky Mobile’s 99% network coverage and spare data rolling into your Sky Piggybank each month, there is nothing to be frightened of this Halloween!”
While common fears like heights (38%), spiders (31%) and roller coasters (24%), are still prevalent, the research found that half of modern terrors are tech related.
With one in five (20%) believing the list of modern spooks, including using the wrong emoji and being tagged in an unflattering photo on social media, are scarier than traditional horrors.
The top 20 modern spooks as found by Sky Mobile:
Being stuck in a lift (37%)
Missing a flight (35%)
Dropping your phone and smashing the screen (34%)
Work being deleted from your computer before you could hit ‘save’ (31%)
Sending a text to the wrong person (30%)
Having no phone signal/service (24%)
Being without your smart phone (22%)
Making a bad typo on an important email (22%)
Being next to someone with a cold on the tube (21%)
Accidentally messaging the wrong group chat (20%)
Sitting in the middle seat on a plane for a long flight (16%)
Running out of mobile phone data (14%)
Social media stalking someone and liking an old post (12%)
Being stuck somewhere with slow WiFi (11%)
Being tagged in unflattering photos on Instagram (11%)
Just under half (45%) admit that spending even a day without their phone would be a nightmare, with Brits using their phone for an average of 14 hours per week, relying on it for basic everyday activities like staying in touch with friends and family, online banking, directions and reading the news. With three in 10 (30%) often carrying around a charging cable just in case their phone battery runs out.
Sky Mobile worked with expert psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos to comment on the survey’s findings and offer advice for self-confessed nomophobes this Halloween.*
Dr Linda Papadopoulos said: “It’s not surprising to me that over half of the fears in the research are tech-related. These fears are a product of how much we rely on our tech and how for many of us it’s key to not only our work but our social lives and identities.”
Sky Mobile customers have 99% network coverage across the UK. Plus, with Sky Piggybank, leftover data is rolled over and saved, giving you an extra boost for when it’s needed most.
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Notes to Editors
*Further commentary from Dr Linda:
“The reason that we're less afraid of being bitten by sharks than losing our phones speaks to how entwined our phones have become with our day to day lives. We feel that so much of our lives are bound up with our technology, and we can’t see a way forward without it. From connecting with friends to engaging with colleagues, from dealing with boredom to planning and creating, our phones are no longer just phones but, in a sense, a digital extension of ourselves, so it can seem terrifying to think of not having this tech at our fingertips.”
“Whilst ‘nomophobia’ can seem scary, I’ve got some top tips for how to combat it:
1. Be clued up on your tech – ensure you’re researching the right network provider and handset for you that will ensure its dependable, reliable and will work when you may need it.
2. Always keep your phone in the same place around the house or at the office – we're creatures of habit for a reason, because it alleviates stress to be on autopilot. And once you’re out and about, choose a pocket or compartment in your bag to make sure you’re never floundering.
3. Preparation is key – we're less fearful when we prepare, but sometimes things don’t always go to plan. In these instances, try to remember that it’s perfectly natural to feel anxious and negative reactions to the loss of an important tool. Remember to back up important data and information so it can be retrieved from other devices and to keep your own data and information safe so you aren’t at risk if you do lose your phone.
4. Finally, try not to catastrophise! We all have a huge connection with our phones but there needs to be some balance - make sure you moderate your dependency by remembering important phone numbers, connecting with people and your surroundings in the real works and making a conscious effort to be without your phone at times throughout the day. Whether around the dinner table or a couple of hours before bed, ensuring that you own your technology rather than allowing your technology to own you is key.”.
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