In an observational study of what people do when waiting in public spaces, Daniel Kruger found that most people start using their phones within 10 seconds of waiting and 80% do so within 20 seconds. He says this is evidence that engaging via online social connections is supplanting engaging with the immediate social environment. Kruger suggests a better balance in this ratio – making time for real-life interactions in social spaces “so we don’t lose that human connection.”

More about Daniel Kruger asks about smart-phone-captivated people: “What happens when they actually have to talk to a stranger in real-life social space?” >