Smartphone Etiquette for the Modern Student

The best way to politely use your smartphone is to make sure that you aren’t bothering students around you.

Perhaps the Windows commercial had it right when it said “We need a phone to save us from our phones.” Or maybe the answer is a set of guidelines – a method for smartphone users to enjoy their gadgets in a public setting, such as a classroom, without offending or disturbing the people around them.

Anna Post says mobile etiquette does exist, and is simple. She says etiquette is simply about taking those around you into consideration.

“Etiquette is about how we interact with people,” said Post. “Through technology we are being given more and varying opportunities to interact with people and for that reason we need to make sure that we do it politely.”

Post is an expert on modern etiquette. She is the great granddaughter of Emily Post, the founder of the Emily Post Institute, which is a Vermont-based centre for learning manners.

In the classroom, while all the note-taking applications available on an iPhone can be appealing to the modern student, Post says never use your phone while your teacher is speaking.

“Your phone should be set to vibrate or it shouldn’t be on,” said Post. “The impression is that you aren’t paying attention. People perceive it as a slight.”

While texting is the latest trend, one shouldn’t expect every mobile phone user to feel comfortable with it. Post says when finding forms of communication with your teacher, it is important that you ask them how they prefer to be contacted.

“They should let you know how they feel comfortable communicating with their students,” said Post. “If they don’t mind corresponding through texts or phone calls then confirm when it is okay to contact them, as in between what hours.”

Post also feels that because smartphone etiquette isn’t particularly common knowledge – just yet – people tend to be forgiving when this technology is used impolitely. However, there are situations where it is never okay to use your phone.

“If you are interviewing for a job or internship, never ever pick it up,” said Post. “That’s an absolute no.”

Overall Post says the best way to politely use your smartphone is to make sure that you aren’t bothering or ignoring people around you. So if you are waiting in line at the grocery store and absolutely have to take a call: make it short.

“It’s hard to ignore a public conversation,” said Post. “You can’t shut your ears.”

Lastly, if you must use your phone in public, tell those around you what you are busy doing. That way they won’t feel slighted. Open communication is key. Tell your friends, family, teachers and classmates how best to communicate with you. What times you are available for communication and what form of communication you prefer, e.g. text or phone call.

While all these tips may seem like a lot to remember, you may not have to try to remember it all on your own for much longer. The Emily Post Institute is in the process of releasing a smartphone application focused on modern etiquette.

While many others see smartphones as a passing fad, those who have become accustomed to the information age know that phones like the iPhone 4 are just a stepping stone to some new form of technology our minds couldn’t even begin to imagine. In other words, the gadgets aren’t going away any time soon. So we might as well learn how to use them politely.