20-Jul-2011 10:59

Are you suffering too? Are you becoming ‘SNOBS'?

We might have known…

Wasn’t it simply bound to happen?

Are you suffering from the latest disease to strike horror deep in the hearts of most of us?

Yep… I can, with immense sadness, announce the arrival of the latest complaint to hit the working population.

Unsure if it has a medical title yet, but I’ve given it the moniker, ‘Social Networking Overload Burnout Syndrome’ or ‘SNOBS’.

A fairly recent report from Telecoms Europe showed that a study by a team of Cambridge University researchers suggested that technology fatigue is setting in, with almost 40% of people feeling the very real need to escape messaging, networking and social network services.

The research, conducted for BT, found a fairly even spread in fatigue among age groups ranging from 10 years old to 34, with almost 40% of 10-18 year olds saying they were overwhelmed by the mass of communications and up to 34% experiencing similar feelings in the 25-34 year old bracket.

Interestingly, 36% of parents claimed technology disrupts family life & almost 60% of families surveyed said their lives would be far more enjoyable and relaxed if all communications technology were ceased for specific periods,

BT Retail Chief Gavin Patterson added he thought the public would benefit from a more balanced approach to usage.
“Compare it to food. To stay healthy, you need to eat a balanced diet,” he noted.

What is notable is that the research showed that 65% of British kids would prefer to communicate face-to-face, somewhat dispelling a myth that our children only communicate via technology.

So, 'fess up, & let us know.

Are you, you family, your children or your staff members becoming ‘SNOBS’?