By Daniel Hunter

One in four Brits aged 18-24 (25%) have been so engrossed with their mobile phones while out and about that they have collided with someone else, new research reveals.

More than a quarter (28%) of the population have been victims of a ‘text collision,’ according to a poll by Halifax Home Insurance.

Yet ‘digital dummies’ are putting themselves at risk of more than just accidental bumps, as figures show that almost half (46%) of pick pocketing incidents in the past year involved a mobile phone.

Over a third (39%) of individuals now use smartphones to get directions when in a new place, often leaving them unaware of their surroundings. Meanwhile, a further 13% admit to using their headphones when walking alone at night.
As the number of text collisions and mobile phone thefts rise, Halifax Home Insurance is urging people to be cautious when out and about and ensure their prized digital belongings are safe from would-be accidents and opportunistic thieves.

“Whether it’s getting directions, listening to music, checking social networks or surfing the web, we are more dependent on our mobiles and smartphones than ever before. However, we must also remember to stay savvy when it comes to protecting our belongings and ourselves," Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Insurance, said.

“The Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index found that UK adults each own an average £4,164 worth of technology devices. With 46 million of the UK population taking a mobile phone out and about, 9 million carrying an MP3 player and 20 million using a digital camera away from the home, we are in danger of becoming a nation of digital dummies for opportunistic thieves and accidents. We are urging individuals, especially the younger generation, to take steps now to stay safe when out and about.”

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