Surfing Mobile Social Networks Can be Dangerous –
New Traffic Signs Suggested
December 10th, 2008 (Munich, London, Madrid, New York) – itsmy.com, one of the most active, pure mobile social networks
in the world, takes steps to protect its users not only within the community but also on the streets. Therefore
itsmy.com submitted the concept for a new street sign to the European Union in Brussels that should call the attention
of all road users to mobile internet usage outdoors.
People meet other people in mobile social networks around the world every minute. But how often do they accidentally
"meet" people in person while surfing in mobile internet? A survey among more than 1,000 mobile community users carried
out by itsmy.com in December 2008, shows astonishing results: 64% of respondents worldwide already bumped into someone
else or fell over something while they were surfing mobile internet and walking down the street or any other location.
Although it might be funny to meet some new people like this, itsmy.com realizes the danger for health and safety of not
only its own community members but of all mobile internet users in the streets.
43% of male and 55% of female respondents admitted to having had a collision with other people, doors and even bicycles
while surfing mobile internet. The new street sign concept is a result of the ideas of itsmy.com users and will - after
the submission to the European Union - also be submitted to the US authorities.
Mikko Saarelainen, Director Communities at itsmy.com: “This idea has been developed by itsmy.com as the internet usage
via mobile phones grows dramatically. We feel responsible for our users, not only in mobile internet but also outside.
Our users have an average community usage time of 52 hours per month – with their mobile phones! And we want to make
these hours not only entertaining but also safe.”
ENDS