Telecom
Mobile Etiquette: Are You Phone Savvy or Bore?
Cell phones are now part of our culture, our lives, and our realities. We are now used to it!
While mobile communication provides many benefits, including convenience, flexibility and personal security, it can sometimes be intrusive to others.
But seem to think, they are the only one with a cell phone. They pull it out at will, talk loud, not because he can only hear out of one ear, but he wants people to notice.
Now students leave class in the middle of lectures, disrupt the class and they answer the phone while sitting with their friends, all to please whom ever it is calling, driving while talking is just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
Correct mobile phone etiquette – is important both in considering others and helping to keep you and those around you safe.
1. Pay attention to the road.
We have growing evidence that cell phones may distract drivers and cause risks for themselves and other drivers.
The cell savvy user never uses a mobile phone while driving unless it is "hands free." Not only are both hands free to shift and steer, there seems to be a very significant difference in the degree of attention deficit when using an ear phone. The ear phone makes it much easier to focus on driving.
The cell savvy user is also careful to limit conversations in cars to traffic areas and conditions requiring low amounts of decision-making. In high volume, tricky driving situations, the cell savvy user either turns the phone off or lets it ring.
The cell phone bore pays no attention to traffic conditions, drives with phone in hand and may put surrounding cars and drivers at risk. Too focussed on phoning, the cell phone bore often misses what is happening on the road nearby and makes driving moves and decisions at an impaired level. Busy chatting, the cell phone bore may run a stop sign and broadside a car.
2. Speak softly.
The cell savvy user is careful to speak in hushed tones, knowing that a mobile phone has a sensitive microphone capable of picking up a soft voice.
The cell savvy user also sets the ring tone at a low level with a tune that is soft, gentle and not annoying.
The more crowded the situation, the quieter and softer the volume of voice and ring.
The cell savvy user moves to vibrate in any situation like a church, a workshop or a meeting where a ringing sound would prove disturbing to other people.
The cell savvy user tries to gain as little phone attention as possible. The goal is to communicate effectively without anybody else noticing or caring.
The cell phone bore speaks loudly and employs loud, obnoxious ring tones at all the wrong times and in all the wrong places. The cell phone bore calls attention to herself or himself.
Some people seem incapable of speaking on their cell phone in a normal tone of voice. Perhaps they are subconsciously worried that the party on the other end cannot hear them very well, so they double and triple their volume. Sometimes it seems as if they are shouting.
Watch the reactions of people near the cell phone bore when the voice or the ringer are too loud. The cell phone bore is not a popular person. Back to Top
3. Keep your distance.
Each person is surrounded by a personal space. This space provides feelings of safety and calm, especially in crowded places.
When strangers come into our personal space, it can make us feel uncomfortable.
The smart cell phone user respects the personal space of other people and tries to speak in places 10-20 feet or more away from the closest person.
If there is no private, separate space available, the smart cell phone user waits to speak on the phone until a good space is available.
Sensitivity to other peoples’ needs and comforts is a sign of good character.
Crowded rooms, lines and tight hallways are not good places to carry on phone conversations.
Next time you find yourself in a crowded space, watch the reactions of non mobile phone users to those who speak loudly into their phones while standing next to them.
The cell phone bore ignores the private personal space of others and seems oblivious to the discomfort caused by such behavior. Unconscious, unconcerned and unaware, the cell phone bore acts as if no one else matters. Back to Top
4. Keep business private.
Many personal and business conversations contain information that should remain confidential or private. Before using a mobile phone in a public location to discuss private business or issues, the cell savvy user makes sure that there will be enough distance to keep the content private. Some stories, some issues and some conflicts should be saved for times and locations that will allow for confidentiality.
The cell phone bore does not think strategically about content and handles a full range of issues and topics in a wide variety of settings without paying much attention to the surrounding audience. This lack of discrimination can have dangerous consequences as business deals, relationships and future plans may all be endangered by leaks and loose tongues.
5. Keep a civil and pleasant tone.
The cell savvy user knows that others might overhear a conversation, so they are careful to maintain a public voice that will not disturb others. At the same time, the cell savvy user knows that certain types of conversations may require or inspire some tough talk or emotional tones. They reserve these conversations for more private settings. They do not fire employees, chastise employees, argue with a boss or fight with a spouse or teenager on their mobile phones in public settings.
The cell phone bore will sometimes air dirty laundry in public and share emotionally intense conversations with nearby strangers. The cell phone bore will speak in loud and angry tones that often cause other people to move away if they can. Back to Top
6.. No cell phone before it’s time.
The cell savvy user thinks about when to turn the phone on or off. There are many situations where it would be rude if a phone rang, interrupting the transaction at hand.
Stepping up to a service counter, entering a restaurant or joining a meeting, the cell savvy user turn off the phone and relies upon voice mail to take incoming calls.
There may be sometimes when a particular incoming call or message requires an exception, but the vast majority of callers do not require immediate access.
The cell phone bore leaves the phone on all the time in all places regardless of the situation. The cell phone bore answers the phone no matter what else is happening and expects others to sit and wait while they chat with the caller. Back to Top
7. One thing at a time.
The busy person multi-tasking at a desk can be a wonderful model of efficiency, handling, phone, keyboard, coffee cup and remote control all at the same time, but at other times, multi-tasking can be hazardous, rude and inefficient.
The cell savvy user reserves multi-tasking for situations and times when it is safe, convenient and appropriate. Approaching a counter to work through a problem with an airline ticket, the cell savvy user turns off the phone or its ringer to protect the coming transaction from interruption. One thing at a time. Focus. Efficiency. Manners.
The cell savvy user often stops other activities such as typing when a call comes through in order to give the caller, full attention. Free of distraction, the cell savvy user makes the most of the call.
The cell phone bore often juggles multiple tasks at the wrong times in the wrong places and often drops a ball or makes someone else angry.
Stepping to the counter to work out a problem with a ticket, the cell phone bore takes an incoming call right in the middle of the transaction and holds up the employee as well as all the other customers lined up waiting for service. Oblivious to the inconvenience and inefficiency caused, the cell phone bore allows a mobile phone to interfere with the performance of the employee and the needs of the other customers. The cell phone bore puts personal wishes ahead of civility.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, describing the move as necessary to protect young people from online harm.
The proposed restrictions will apply to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be affected by the measures.
In a recorded video message released on Monday, Starmer said the government was taking decisive action in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing.
“It’s a big step for our country. Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe, and as a parent, as much as a Prime Minister, I just can’t let that go on anymore,” he said.
The announcement follows a national consultation conducted between March and May, which received more than 116,000 responses on children’s use of technology.
According to the findings, more than 83 per cent of parents believed the risks associated with social media outweighed its benefits, while 90 per cent supported setting 16 as the minimum age for accessing social media platforms.
The British government said legislation would be introduced before Christmas, with the protections expected to come into force next spring.
Under the proposed framework, children under 16 will also be prevented from using livestreaming features and from communicating with strangers on affected platforms.
Starmer acknowledged that implementing age restrictions would be challenging but said the government had carefully reviewed available evidence and lessons from other countries before deciding to proceed.
“It’s not an easy thing to do. We haven’t rushed into it. We’ve looked carefully at the evidence and will continue adapting our approach as technology changes,” he said.
The Prime Minister also signalled a willingness to confront major technology firms that may oppose the policy.
“We will take them on, and we will win, because the need for action could not be any clearer,” he added.
The move comes amid increasing global efforts to regulate children’s access to social media.
Last year, Australia became the first country to enact legislation restricting access to major social media platforms for children under 16.
However, Australian authorities have reported enforcement challenges, with a recent study indicating that many children continued to maintain accounts despite the restrictions.
Alongside the proposed ban, the British government announced a £132.5 million “Every Child Can” programme aimed at expanding access to sports, arts and nature-based activities in schools and local communities as alternatives to excessive screen time.
The initiative follows recent calls by the government for technology companies, including Apple and Google, to strengthen safeguards preventing children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images online.
The government said the measures were designed to combat online exploitation, reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and improve online safety.
Meanwhile, social media companies in the United States continue to face legal challenges alleging that their platforms contributed to mental health problems among young users and failed to adequately protect children from online predators.
Supporters of stricter age-verification requirements argue that they are necessary to shield children from harmful online content, while critics have raised concerns over privacy, data protection and freedom of expression.
TikTok says football remains one of the strongest passions among its users in Nigeria, with 59 per cent of users on the platform following the sport.
TikTok
The social media platform disclosed this in a report highlighting the growing influence of football communities and sports content across Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to TikTok, 28 per cent of its users in Nigeria actively participate in football, underscoring the sport’s significance as a cultural touchpoint and a driver of engagement on the platform.
The report noted that football-related hashtags such as #football, #soccer, #SuperEagles and #NaijaFootball have become active hubs for fan reactions, commentary, highlights and match-day conversations.
TikTok said it had evolved into a leading platform for sports entertainment and football culture, bringing together fans, athletes, clubs and content creators through its #SportsOnTikTok initiative.
It revealed that more than 6.5 million videos had been created under the #SportsOnTikTok hashtag, reflecting growing interest in sports content ranging from match reactions and tactical analysis to creator-led storytelling.
“Football communities across Africa are increasingly using TikTok to celebrate their teams, share reactions, debate key moments and connect with global football audiences in authentic and engaging ways,” the report stated.
The platform also highlighted strong engagement during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), noting that more than 1.2 million posts were created globally under the #AFCON2025 hashtag.
According to TikTok, 28.6 per cent of those posts originated from Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the platform’s role as a major destination for football fans following tournaments in real time.
The report further showed that sports content on TikTok continues to influence audiences beyond the platform.
It stated that 85 per cent of sports fans globally use TikTok as a second-screen experience while watching sporting events, while 42 per cent are more likely to tune into live matches after viewing sports content on the platform.
Additionally, 90 per cent of fans reportedly take at least one action outside the platform after watching sports-related content, while 72 per cent enjoy viewing fan edits, reaction videos and other fan-generated sports content.
TikTok also highlighted the increasing participation of women in sports conversations on the platform.
According to the report, 64 per cent of women globally choose TikTok as their preferred destination for sports content, accounting for 46 per cent of all sports-related views on the platform during the first half of 2025.
The company said the findings reflected a new era of digital sports engagement in which football and other sporting experiences extend beyond the pitch through fan participation, content creation and online communities.
It added that TikTok was becoming a key destination for the next generation of football fandom, transforming passive viewership into active participation through shared experiences and real-time interactions.
Telecom
Nigeria Innovation Summit 2026 Set to Convene West Africa’s Brightest Minds to Shape the Future of Innovation
InnovationHub Africa, Africa’s foremost driver of technology and innovation, is proud to announce the Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) 11.0, the 11th edition of West Africa’s biggest and most celebrated innovation gathering, scheduled for October 6, 2026, at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.
Nigeria Innovation Summit 2026
The Summit promises to be the most ambitious, high-impact edition yet, bringing together Nigeria’s most brilliant minds, innovators, startups, trailblazing entrepreneurs, global thought leaders, and policy architects under one electrifying roof.
Disclosing the event’s agenda, Mr. Tony Ajah, the Programme Director of the Summit says, “The theme for this year’s event is ‘Innovating in the Age of AI’.” The theme confronts one of the defining questions of our time: how can Nigeria and Africa harness the power of AI to drive transformative innovation, accelerate economic growth, and compete boldly on the global stage?”
“We are living through the most consequential technological shift of our generation. AI is happening right now, reshaping industries, redefining careers, and rewriting the rules of competition. As AI reshapes every sector from agriculture to fintech, from healthcare to education, we are creating the most critical space for Nigeria’s innovators to get ahead of the curve,” Mr. Ajah says.
“NIS 11.0 is our clarion call to every Nigerian innovator and institution to get in the room, understand the wave, and ride it. We must not be spectators in the AI revolution but architects of it. So, this year’s event will go beyond inspiration to deliver actionable insights and measurable impact, empowering stakeholders to build resilient and future-ready systems,” he added.
NIS has established itself as a premier platform for advancing technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, and continues to foster cross-sector collaboration and inspire solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges. It brings in experts within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem and around the world to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.
This year’s event will feature insightful discussions, Nigeria Innovation Experience talks (NiX Talks), innovative showcases of emerging technologies and their applications, workshops, fireside chats, startup pitches, and exhibitions. The Summit will climax with the 2026 Nigeria Innovation Awards.
Beyond discussions, the Summit is designed to catalyze strategic partnerships, investment opportunities, and policy directions that support innovation-led growth. Through previous editions, NIS has attracted over 15,000 delegates, 240 speakers and panellists, 100 tertiary institutions and research centres, 40 government ministries, attendees from 36 states, over 170 sponsors and partners, 42 countries, and over 97 innovation award recipients.
Participation in this event is open to local and international businesses, innovators, startups, MSMEs, public and private institutions, embassies/high commissions, investors, the academic community, and all the stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. The event will also be live-streamed to a wider audience across Nigeria and beyond. Attendance is free and open to all registered delegates.
NIS 11.0 offers great opportunities through sponsorship, partnership, and exhibitions of innovative products, ideas, and services. For more inquiries and participation, please visit: https://innovationsummit.ng/
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