Men just can't leave their phones alone

• Experiment reveals men use their phones for an hour longer each day than women on average
• Male participants spent 66 per cent more time talking on their phones than female subjects
• Women studied spent more time on their phones playing games than men
• Software was installed on test subjects' phones to record every time they touched their phone and how long they spend on the device

A new innovative experiment¹ commissioned by Direct Line Home Insurance reveals that men are proving "it's good to talk," spending more time chatting on the phone than women. Men spend 66 per cent longer talking on their phone than women – equivalent to 10 minutes more each day.

When it comes to overall phone usage, men spend an hour longer each day using their phones than women. The average male smartphone user spends 2 hours 44 minutes talking, texting and using other applications on their phone, while women spend on average one hour forty one minutes.

The social experiment saw researchers load software onto smartphones that recorded every single interaction users made with their devices. It analysed every app opened and how many times people interacted with it, how long they spent browsing the web and how much time was spent talking and texting.

The study revealed women are more likely to communicate via instant messaging than a traditional voice call. On average women spend 17 minutes a day sending and receiving instant messages and texts, compared to just 15 minutes of talk time. Men also spend 17 minutes instant messaging every day.

Female participants in the study spent more time on their phones playing games than men - 13 minutes per day compared to nine minutes. Amongst both sexes the three most‐used apps remain the same, however, with Facebook, voice calling and WhatsApp Messenger filling out the top three apps.

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line Home Insurance, commented: "This experiment shows how we love to communicate, with men and women spending over half an hour every day talking and messaging on their phones. Smartphones have also helped drive up the number of women that have taken up gaming, with games such as Kendall & Kylie specifically targeted at this demographic."

"Because people are so attached to their phones we have made it a feature of our policies that these devices can be replaced as quickly as possible if they are damaged or stolen. People can either claim for a replacement device or for the cost of the item if they wish to upgrade to the latest handset or replace it themselves."

With Direct Line Home Plus Insurance, which includes Accidental Damage and Personal Possessions cover as standard, if your items are lost, stolen or damaged, we'll give you the choice of cash or a brand new replacement.

For more information on this please visit: www.directline.com/home-cover

¹ Research study conducted in conjunction with fifty volunteers in conjunction with RescueTime in Q4 2015. Each volunteers' mobile phone usage was measured for at least four weeks continuously.

Claire Foster
Direct Line
claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk
Tel: 0165 1831672

Charlotte Pascal
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 1021
Email: Charlotte.Pascal@citigatedr.co.uk

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 878 5587 or visiting www.directline.com