Attitudes towards mobile phone etiquette
Q. How appropriate are the following examples of mobile phone etiquette?
NET: Appropriate | NET: Inappropriate | Always appropriate | Usually appropriate | Sometimes appropriate | Rarely appropriate | Never appropriate | |
Having video calls in public place (e.g. cafe or public transport) | 13% | 64% | 4% | 9% | 23% | 28% | 36% |
Texting or watching movies while walking along the street | 12% | 69% | 4% | 8% | 19% | 23% | 46% |
Checking messages while in a conversation with another person | 10% | 69% | 4% | 6% | 21% | 28% | 41% |
Having phone conversations on speaker in a public place (e.g. cafe or public transport) | 10% | 73% | 4% | 7% | 16% | 23% | 50% |
Using speakers rather than headphones in public | 10% | 77% | 4% | 6% | 13% | 25% | 52% |
NET: Inappropriate | Gender | Age | ||||
Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |
Having video calls in public place (e.g. cafe or public transport) | 64% | 59% | 69% | 43% | 60% | 86% |
Texting or watching movies while walking along the street | 69% | 64% | 74% | 48% | 67% | 90% |
Checking messages while in a conversation with another person | 69% | 63% | 75% | 51% | 66% | 88% |
Having phone conversations on speaker in a public place (e.g. cafe or public transport) | 73% | 68% | 78% | 60% | 70% | 87% |
Using speakers rather than headphones in public | 77% | 74% | 80% | 67% | 77% | 86% |
Base (n) | 1,090 | 539 | 551 | 341 | 374 | 375 |
- Over half of people (52%) say it’s never appropriate to use speakers, rather than headphones in public, with another quarter (25%) saying it’s rarely appropriate.
- Having a video call is seen to be the least inappropriate activity (36%), but still just 4% say this activity was always appropriate and 9% say it is usually appropriate.
- Women and people over 55 years old are more likely to say each of the activities is never appropriate compared to men and those aged 18-34.
- Non-capital city residents are more likely to say that having video calls in public place (43%), checking messages while in a conversation with another person (48%), and texting or watching movies while walking along the street (53%) are ‘never appropriate’ than their capital city compatriots (32%, 38% and 43% respectively).
- However not using headphones (either for calls or using media) is just as inappropriate for capital and non-capital residents.
Work and automation
Q. Which statement best represents your current situation? (In these statements, “automation” means the use of machines and technology to replace human processes).
Total | Men | Women | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | ||
My job has already been replaced by automation | 3% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 2% | |
My job has been significantly changed my automation | 9% | 11% | 7% | 12% | 8% | 5% | |
I expect my job to be replaced by automation in the next five years | 11% | 12% | 10% | 17% | 9% | 4% | |
I don’t think my job will be replaced by automation in the foreseeable future | 59% | 56% | 61% | 53% | 64% | 58% | |
Don’t know | 18% | 16% | 20% | 14% | 16% | 30% |
(Based on those working)
59% of working respondents don’t think their job will be replaced by automation in the foreseeable future. 3% say that have already been replaced by automation, 9% say their job has significantly changed and 11% expect their job to be replaced by automation. 53% of those aged 18-34 don’t think their job will be replaced by automation compared to 64% of those aged 35-54.
Technological Change
Q. Overall, do you think technological advances in recent years have been positive for:
Total agree | Total disagree | Strongly agree | Agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | Don’t know | |
Culture/entertainment | 57% | 9% | 14% | 43% | 27% | 6% | 3% | 7% |
National security | 53% | 16% | 14% | 39% | 22% | 12% | 4% | 9% |
Provision of government services | 50% | 14% | 10% | 40% | 28% | 9% | 5% | 9% |
Personal safety | 49% | 16% | 11% | 38% | 27% | 12% | 4% | 8% |
Provision of private services | 45% | 11% | 9% | 36% | 31% | 8% | 3% | 14% |
Personal relationships | 31% | 30% | 7% | 24% | 32% | 22% | 8% | 7% |
Job security | 27% | 34% | 7% | 20% | 30% | 23% | 11% | 9% |
By demographic:
Total agree | Men | Women | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | ||
Culture/entertainment | 57% | 55% | 58% | 66% | 56% | 48% | |
National security | 53% | 56% | 48% | 53% | 51% | 53% | |
Provision of government services | 50% | 56% | 44% | 50% | 51% | 48% | |
Personal safety | 49% | 51% | 47% | 56% | 48% | 42% | |
Provision of private services | 45% | 50% | 40% | 52% | 44% | 39% | |
Personal relationships | 31% | 35% | 26% | 41% | 29% | 21% | |
Job security | 27% | 31% | 21% | 38% | 24% | 18% |
At least half the respondents think that technological advances have been positive for culture/entertainment (57%), national security (53%) and provision of Government services (50%). However, they were divided over job security (27% agree/34% disagree) and personal relationships (31%/30%).
The NBN and the Spirit of Christmas
First Published on The Drum 30/11/2010
The magic of Christmas lies in the expectation. You hang out the stocking, leave a piece of cake and a stubbie for Santa and head off to bed.
When you wake up, there it is laid out for you, something shiny and new that you really, really wanted.
In this spirit it should come as no surprise that the Federal Parliament’s final act of the year was the passage of legislation enabling the rollout of the National Broadband Network, the embodiment of Labor’s hope that something better lies around the corner.
And there are grounds for optimism. In an era of cynicism with nearly every aspect of politics – and despite a concerted Opposition attack – this week’s Essential Report shows strong and increasing support for the network.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
