New kind of multi-tasking: nearly 66% of Canadians use their phone on the toilet
A new study has found the toilet is a popular place for Canadians to use their smartphones.
The study by Nord VPN, a cybersecurity company, found that the need to stay connected extends into washrooms, with 66 per cent of Canadians using them while on the toilet.
"We asked, 'what do people do on the toilet?’ Like, do they take their smartphone with them and, well, quite a lot of people actually are," said Adrianus Warmenhoven, of Nord VPN.
Warmenhoven said it's not hard to understand why.
"It’s very private, you can watch some things on the screen that you might not be able to do otherwise in a busy environment like an office or at home," he said.
"I can still remember the people before smartphones usually reading books."
In Sudbury, some people told CTV News the handheld devices help them stay connected.
"My cellphone’s pretty important to me," said Maureen Hughson, who was walking in Sudbury’s Bell Park on Tuesday.
"I like my cellphone."
"Definitely really important," said Jackie Touzin. "Being a single full-time mom, it is honestly my only way of getting in touch with school and my son’s specialist."
Touzin's son has cognitive autism, so her phone is always close by.
"I’m his only person that can help him," she said. "So for me it’s really important for getting in touch with people or emergency services."
The survey, which saw more than 9,000 people participate in various countries, found more than 65 per cent of Canadians use a phone in the bathroom.
"I do bring it to the washroom, all the time," said Touzin.
"But, I definitely do think I use it the most when I’m in the living room, even though I’m watching TV, I’ll still be on my phone going through emails, reading up news or information."
Although nearly 66 per cent of Canadians admit to using their cellphones while on the toilet, other countries are also in on the trend. Spain actually had the most responses with 80 per cent admitting to taking their phone with them when they do their business.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.